Boston Massacre Research Paper

The largest form of protest occurred on March 5, 1770, around 8 p.m. on King Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Also known as “the Bloody Massacre” this single night can be argued to be the true beginning of the American Revolution. Eventual President John Adams wrote, “Not the Battle of Lexington or Bunker Hill, not the surrender of Burgoyne or Cornwallis, were more important events in American history than the battle of King Street on the 5th of March, 1770.” This night was undoubtedly important for the future of the United States. The Colonists had reached a point of anger with the British Soldiers, being constantly watched and controlled, and had simply become too much to bear. As a result, a disagreement between a wigmaker and a soldier …show more content…
This continued until 8 to 11 guns were fired into the crowd. This event resulted in the immediate death of four individuals. Mr. Samuel Gray died due to a bullet entering his head, taking off a large piece of his skill. Mr. Cripus Attucks died when two bullets entered his chest, damaging his right lung and the greater part of his liver. Mr. James Caldwell was killed when two bullets entered his back and Mr. Samuel Maverick was killed when a bullet went through his stomach and out his back. The death of these four individuals quickly became a major event throughout the colonies. Going as far as newspapers posting about their death and funeral arrangements. One of which stated, “On this occasion, most of the shops in Town were shut, all the Bells were ordered to toll a solum pell.” This demonstrates the importance of not only the event but the victims themselves. The final victim of the Boston Massacre was Mr. Patrick Carr, who was shot in the stomach during an attempt to cross the street. He wouldn’t die immediately, instead, he went and sought out care from a local doctor, Dr. Jefferies. It took around 2 weeks for him to pass away from his injuries. He also never set the blame for his inevitable death on the shoulders of the British soldiers. The doctor gave insight into how Carr felt about the soldiers before his death, saying, “...he thought that the soldiers would have fired long before. Were the soldiers greatly abused? Yes, they are, too. Would they have been hurt if they had not been fired? Yes. I am a naysayer. So they fired in self-defense? Yes, and he did not blame whoever hit him.” This statement would go on to effect and play a role in the trial of the British Soldiers who were involved in the massacre. The day following the massacre. Captain Thomas Preston was arrested, interrogated, and sent to jail

Show More

Related Documents: Boston Massacre Research Paper