how did the Stamp Act contribute to the Boston Massacre

Google is your friend!

Read lots and let us know what you discover.
http://www.google.com/search?q=stamp+act+and+boston+massacre&oq=stamp+act+and+bost&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.7941j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The Stamp Act was a British tax imposed on the American colonies in 1765. While it may not have directly caused the Boston Massacre, it played a significant role in escalating tensions between the colonists and the British authorities, eventually leading to the event.

To understand how the Stamp Act contributed to the Boston Massacre, let's break it down step by step:

1. Passage of the Stamp Act: The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to impose a tax on the American colonists. This law required all legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and even playing cards to have a British stamp on them, which had to be paid for with British currency.

2. Colonial Opposition: American colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act for various reasons. First, they considered it a direct violation of their rights to be taxed without representation in the British Parliament. Second, they believed that their colonial legislatures had the sole authority to tax themselves. This opposition led to widespread protests, boycotts against British goods, and the formation of secret organizations like the Sons of Liberty.

3. Increased Tensions: The implementation of the Stamp Act and subsequent enforcement measures by British authorities led to increased tensions between the colonists and the British soldiers stationed in Boston. The Stamp Act directly affected various aspects of daily life in the colonies, making it a point of contention.

4. Occupation of Boston by British Troops: Due to the escalating unrest, the British deployed troops to Boston in 1768 as a show of force to maintain control and enforce British policy. This decision further heightened tensions and led to more clashes between the colonists and the soldiers.

5. Clashes at the Custom House: On the evening of March 5, 1770, a group of Bostonians gathered near the custom house, where British soldiers were stationed to prevent smuggling. The crowd began taunting and harassing the soldiers, throwing snowballs, rocks, and debris at them.

6. The Boston Massacre: In the midst of the confrontation, panicked British soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists and injuring several others. The event became known as the Boston Massacre and further fueled anti-British sentiment throughout the colonies.

In summary, while the Stamp Act may not have directly caused the Boston Massacre, it played a crucial role in escalating tensions between the colonists and the British authorities. The act's imposition of a tax without colonial representation and its enforcement measures by British troops created an intense environment of resistance and protests, ultimately leading to the volatile situation that erupted in violence on March 5, 1770.