In the text you read this about the aftermath of the Boston Massacre: The soldiers were arrested and tried in court. John Adams agreed to defend them, saying that they deserved a fair trial. He wanted to show the world that the colonists believed in justice, even if the British government did not. At the trial, Adams argued that the crowd had provoked the soldiers. His arguments convinced the jury. In the end, the heaviest punishment any soldier received was a branding on the hand. Use the excerpt to answer the question.
How could John Adams defend the British soldiers but still be seen as a Patriot? (1 point)
a. Adams defended the soldiers while defending the Patriots' belief in justice.
b.Adams defended the soldiers because he thought it would make the British pity the Patriot cause.
c.Adams defended the soldiers because many Patriots asked him to.
d. Adams knew that many Patriots wanted the British soldiers to be set free.
a. Adams defended the soldiers while defending the Patriots' belief in justice.
The correct answer is a. Adams defended the soldiers while defending the Patriots' belief in justice.
In the excerpt, it is mentioned that John Adams agreed to defend the British soldiers because he believed they deserved a fair trial. He wanted to show the world that the colonists, who were Patriots, believed in justice. By defending the soldiers, Adams was not necessarily defending their actions or supporting the British government's actions, but rather advocating for the principle of justice and fairness. Hence, he could uphold both his role as a defender of the soldiers and be seen as a Patriot who believed in justice for all.