The Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1770, stands as a pivotal moment in American history marked by the increasing tension between English Soldiers and Boston colonizers. Although the event was debated throughout centuries about the terminology, it was indeed a massacre led by the British soldiers’ unprovoked killing of civilians. The main reason leading up to the Boston Massacre was the unrest of the Townshend Act imposing taxes that were affecting businesses. Naturally, colonial resistance increased causing England to send soldiers and building facilities to neutralize the situation. However, the presence of British troops in Boston only escalated tensions, as soldiers competed with locals for jobs and were seen as enforcers of unpopular laws (Benson 181). On the evening of the incident, a confrontation between a British soldier and a colonist broke out which eventually grew into a chaotic scene involving a crowd of colonists and several soldiers. The soldiers, facing taunts and projectiles, open fire on the unarmed crowd. Resulting in the deaths of six civilians (HIST 116).
The word Massacre is defined as “The indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people.”(Oxford Dictionary) It is surely appropriate to use the word massacre to describe what happened in Boston when considering the power and the unnecessary use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. The soldiers were trained professionally and expected to maintain discipline, they failed to abide by their duty and yet enforced violence that was clearly excessive under that circumstance. Some may argue that the term “massacre” is an exaggeration due to the small number of casualties. Still, the significance of this event is not represented by the number but by the act of armed soldiers killing unarmed citizens without just cause (Zabin 221). The Boston Massacre was an implication of a bigger conflict between Britain and the colonies.
Furthermore, across the continent, the colonial community was deeply impacted by the unreasonable killing of civilians which ignited widespread outrage and fear. The incident disturbed mundane life and greatly increased tension, showing it wasn’t just a conflict but a major act of violence against the colonists leading to the first union of 13 colonies. The strong reaction shows how deeply the killing affected society and this supports the idea that the Boston Massacre was indeed a massacre in both its impact and how people viewed it.
Moreover, It is important to recognize it as a massacre to acknowledge the nature of this event and honor those whose deaths became a symbol of resistance. Their deaths truly reminded the colonists that as long as the British were in control, the ongoing brutality would continue, ultimately contributing to American independence. The memory of the Boston Massacre will serve as a strong motif inspiring others to stand up against oppression which is significant for a revolution.
In conclusion, the Boston Massacre is given its title due to the unprovoked and excessive use of force by British soldiers. The ongoing oppression from Britain and laws like the Townshend Act led to the presence of British troops taking innocent. Widespread outrage of the continent, and a motif to inspire a revolution.
Works Cited
The American Yawp. www.americanyawp.com.
Benson, Sonia, et al. "Boston Massacre." UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History, vol. 1, UXL, 2009, pp. 180-81. Gale eBooks,
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HIST 116 - Lecture 6 - Resistance or Rebellion? (or, What the Heck Is Happening in Boston?) | Open Yale Courses. oyc.yale.edu/history/hist-116/lecture-6.
Zabin, Serena R. "Boston Massacre." Encyclopedia of the New American Nation, edited by Paul Finkelman, vol. 1, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006, pp. 219-21. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3446700110/GVRL?u=blair_timkenlib&sid=bookmark-GVR L&xid=af0dee6e. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.
“Massacre, N.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, September 2024, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/7774564971.
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