5-10 The Boston Massacre

On the night of March 5, 1770, five citizens of Boston died when eight British soldiers fired on a large and unruly crowd.  Boston's patriots, led by Sam Adams, immediately called the shooting  the Boston Massacre. The troops had been sent to Boston in late 1768 to support the local British  government and were themselves subject to the jurisdiction of the local courts.

In the crowd was a man named Crispus Attucks, who had escaped from slavery when he was young and he had become a sailor.  Five colonist, including Crispus Attucks were killed and eight more were wounded.  

All eight soldiers were jailed and tried for murder. They were defended by John Adams, who later became the second President of the United States, and acquitted on grounds of self defense. The patriots used the trial to demonstrate that law rather than mob rule had been maintained in Boston, and that even the hated redcoats could receive a fair trial.

Five people, including Crispus Attucks died during the

Chicago Fire.
Boston Massacre.
New York Raid.

The people shot during the Boston Massacre were shot by

French soldiers.
Indians.
British soldiers.

The soldiers were tried for murder and were all

acquitted.
found guilty.
hung.

The patriots used the trial to demonstrate that law rather

than hanging had been maintained in Boston.
than crime had been maintained in Boston.
than mob rule had been maintained in Boston.

The Boston Massacre occurred on the night of

March 5, 1770
March 5, 1670
March 5, 1870