Is the Boston Massacre appropriately named.
A massacre is defined as the unnecessary or indiscriminate killing of a large number of people.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/massacre
Do you think massacre describes what happened in Boston?
http://www.bostonmassacre.net/
Determining whether the Boston Massacre is appropriately named involves examining historical context and considering different perspectives.
To answer this question, you can follow these steps:
1. Understand the historical context: The Boston Massacre refers to an incident that occurred on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts, during the early stages of the American Revolution. British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, resulting in the deaths of five individuals.
2. Consider the naming conventions: The term "Boston Massacre" suggests a large-scale and indiscriminate killing of people. However, the number of casualties, five deaths, may not be considered a "massacre" by some standards. The term may have been chosen to elicit sympathy for the colonial cause and emphasize the brutality of British rule.
3. Analyze different perspectives: Historically, the event was often portrayed by colonial propagandists as an unprovoked attack on unarmed civilians. However, from the British perspective, soldiers were responding to a volatile situation and felt threatened by the crowd. Some argue that the term "massacre" is an exaggeration or a biased description designed to provoke anger against the British.
4. Consider alternative names: In recent years, there have been discussions about using alternative names to reflect different interpretations of the event, such as "Boston Incident" or "Boston Shooting."
In conclusion, whether the Boston Massacre is appropriately named depends on the historical context and differing perspectives. Understanding these factors and considering alternative viewpoints can help you form a more comprehensive understanding of the event.