The Boston Massacre

True Massacre? Massacre: The act or an instance of killing a number of usually helpless or unresisting human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty Daniele da Volterra 1509-1566

Or Propaganda? Propaganda: The spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person

http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre/videos/boston-massacre What Happened? March 5, 1770 Children Passing by the Custom House began throwing snowballs at a British sentry A mob formed, throwing stones and sticks 1 British soldier fired, causing panic End Result, 5 dead and 8 wounded colonists

Who was Paul Revere? Artist Horseman Silversmith Son of Liberty

Paul Revere’s Boston Massacre

What do you See? Who is attacking who? Are the Colonists armed? How does the painting make you feel?

Another view of the massacre John Pufford, ca 1856

What do you see? What are the differences between this picture and Paul Revere’s? How does this picture make you feel about the Colonists and the British Soldiers?

Conclusions Which depiction do you feel is more accurate? What do you feel were Paul Revere’s motives in painting “The Boston Massacre”? Do you think Revere’s Painting helped develop a revolutionary spirit among the Colonists?

Leading up to the battle 1765 – Colonists violently protest the Stamp Act 1766 – Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, passes Declaratory Act 1768 – British troops arrive in Boston to enforce laws 1770 – Americans killed by British troops in “Boston Massacre” 1773 – Boston patriots protest British Tea Act by throwing tea into the Boston Harbor 1774 – First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia April 19, 1775 – Fist battle occurs in Lexington and Concord

First Continental Congress Upon hearing of the Intolerable Acts, colonies assembled September 1774, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia Drew up a DECLARATION OF COLONIAL RIGHTS: Right to run their own affairs Supported protests in MA Stated if British used force against the colonies, the colonies would fight back. Agreed to reconvene May 1775 if demands were not met

Tensions with British troops building British troops in Boston increasing Colonists in eastern NE towns stepped up military preparations Stockpiled firearms and gunpowder. General Thomas Gage learned of these, planned to seize the illegal weapons in Concord.

“The British ARE COMING!” Colonists in Boston were keeping watch over the British troops moves. Night of April 18, 1775 – Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word 700 British troops were headed for Concord From there Pre-arranged signals were sent from town to town that the British were coming.

Paul Revere’s Midnight ride https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH12l5NdJlY Paul Revere’s Midnight ride Paul Revere and Samuel Prescott rode from Boston to Lexington on the night of April 18, 1775 to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming to arrest them for treason.

The shot heard around the world On the morning of April 19th, 1775, at the break of dawn, British troops moved into the city of Lexington, where the minutemen stood awaiting. As the minutemen began to disperse to let the British pass, a shot was fired which lead to the British returning shots. And thus the American Revolution had begun. Seven minutemen lay dead after the gunfire as the British marched on to Concord. http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/what-was-the-shot-heard-round-the-world

The Battle of Lexington British Troops Reached Lexington at dawn 70 minutemen drew up in lines on town green British commander ordered to surround and disarm militia Militia ordered to disperse Someone fired, British fired, colonists fled Lasted 15 minutes

Onto Concord! The British marched into Concord to search for munitions. They found cannons and began to burn them. The militia fearing the British were burning the town marched towards the British. Shots were exchanged and the British retreated to Boston.

The Battle of Concord British continued on to Concord Arsenal in Concord Basically Empty Brief skirmish with minutemen at North Bridge British began march back to Boston to avoid further conflict, despite no reinforcements

The Return March to Boston 3,000 to 4,000 minutemen had assembled Hid behind stone walls and trees, fired at British British fell by the dozens, only saved when reinforcements came from Boston British went back to Boston Colonists surrounded Boston, held the city under seige.

Results of the battle The British failed to capture Adams or Hancock The local militia had the British controlled city of Boston surrounded Word of the battle had spread throughout the Colonies and lead to the eventual organization of the first American Army.

Historical Scene Investigation Go to http://hsionline.org/cases.html Choose EITHER the Boston “Massacre” – Who was the aggressor/was justice served during the trial? Lexington and Concord – Who fired the first shot? See me for sheet with questions to answer on the documents you read online to solve the mystery!