Boston Massacre :: essays research papers

The town of capital of Massachusetts was a very uneasy city throughout the 1760s. This uneasiness quick turned to belligerence in the early part of 1770. Tensions had been mounting from the generator of the year with various clashes between British sympathizers and colonists. However, in early butt against the tensions erupted into bloodshed.On March 5, 1770 a small group of colonists were up to their rough-cut sport of tormenting British soldiers. By many accounts there was a capital deal of taunting that eventually lead to an escalation of hostilities. The watch in forepart of the Custom House eventually lashed out at the colonists which brought more than colonists to the scene. In fact, someone began ringing the church bells which usually signified a fire. The sentry called for help, setting up the clash which we now call the Boston Massacre.A group of soldiers led by Captain Thomas Preston came to the rescue of the lonely(prenominal) sentry. Captain Preston and his deta chment of seven or eight men were readily sidesteped. All attempts to calm the crowd proved useless. At this point, the accounts of the event transmute drastically. Apparently, a soldier fired a musket into the crowd, immediately followed by more shots. This action left several wounded and five dead including an Afro-American named Crispus Attucks. The crowd quickly dispersed, and the soldiers went back to their barracks. These are the facts we do know. However, many uncertainties surround this important historical event Did the soldiers fire with provocation? Did they fire on their own? Was Captain Prescott guilty of ordering his men to fire into a crowd of civilians?