Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party Study Guide
Introduction
Title: Boston in Rebellion: The Boston Massacre & Boston Tea Party
Date: April 30, 2025
Source: Eyewitnesstohistory.com
Focus: The significance and details surrounding two key events in American history, the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party.
Boston Massacre - Key Facts
Date of Incident: March 5, 1770
Event Summary: A confrontation occurred between a mob of colonists and British soldiers outside the Customs House in Boston.
Initial trigger was a fistfight.
Resulted in British soldiers firing into the crowd, leading to the deaths of five colonists.
Key casualties included:
5 colonists killed, bodies left in the snow.
Public Reaction:
Samuel Adams labeled the event as the "Boston Massacre", framing it as a ruthless attack by British forces on defenseless citizens.
Paul Revere created an engraving depicting the brutality, which fueled anti-British sentiment.
Trial Outcomes:
In October 1770, a trial was held involving British soldiers.
John Adams, a patriot and resident of Boston, defended the soldiers.
Outcomes of the trial included:
Six soldiers acquitted of charges.
Two found guilty of manslaughter; punished by branding their thumbs.
Captain Thomas Preston acquitted due to lack of evidence showing he ordered the shooting.
Formation of Committees of Correspondence
Objectives:
Massachusetts and Virginia established committees of correspondence to unite colonies.
Aim: To discuss and disseminate information regarding British injustices in the colonies via pamphleteering.
The British Perspective on the Boston Massacre
Captain Thomas Preston's Account:
As commander of the British troops during the incident, he described events:
Noted that on the evening of March 5, soldiers were beaten and alarm bells were rung by townspeople, implying an organized attack.
Preston believed the bells indicated fire, initially misunderstanding their purpose.
Described the anticipation of a larger attack as townspeople gathered, prompting a military response.
Boston Tea Party - Key Facts
Date of Event: December 16, 1773
Catalyst for Event:
The Tea Act allowed indirect importation of tea from the British East India Company without a tax applied to the colonies, thereby undermining local tea traders.
Action Taken:
Rebels disguised as Native Americans boarded ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests (18,000 pounds) of tea overboard as a protest.
George Hewes' Account:
Hewes was part of the rebel group; dressed as an Indian and equipped with a hatchet for the mission.
Noted the atmosphere of anger and fervor among the townspeople during the lead-up to the event.
Aftermath of Events
Consequences Enforced by King George III:
Following the Boston Massacre and Tea Party, King George III prompted Parliament to enact the Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts).
Boston Port Act: Closed Boston Harbor until damages were paid for the dumped tea.
Quartering Act: Required Massachusetts citizens to house British soldiers.
Massachusetts Government Act: Suspended the Massachusetts legislature until tea and damages were paid.
Martial Law: Civilian government replaced by military governance.
Colonial Response:
The First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, declaring the colonies' right to self-governance and uniting the colonies in defense of their rights.
Ethical and Philosophical Considerations
Discussion points raised about the justification of the Intolerable Acts by King George III and counterarguments around the righteousness of colonial rebellion.
Example of questioning: Should the soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre be found guilty or innocent? Arguments for both positions revolve around the ambiguity of orders and the environment of panic.
Reflection on Historical Impact
Note the significant impact both the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party had on the American Revolution, inspiring unrest and organizing forces against British rule.