how did the boston massacre lead to the revolutionary war?
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/massacre.htm
How did the Boston massacre have a impact on the industrial revolutionary war
The Boston Massacre played a significant role in fueling the tensions between the American colonists and the British government, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. To understand how the Boston Massacre led to the Revolutionary War, it's important to look at the series of events that occurred.
1. Background Tensions: Prior to the Boston Massacre, there were existing tensions between the American colonists and the British government. The colonists were frustrated with British policies such as the Stamp Act (1765) and the Townshend Acts (1767) that imposed taxes and increased British control over the colonies. These measures were seen as a violation of American rights and sparked widespread resistance.
2. The Incident: On March 5, 1770, a crowd of American colonists gathered near the Customs House in Boston to protest against British troops stationed in the city. The presence of these troops was resented by the colonists, who perceived them as a symbol of British oppression. The situation escalated when British soldiers, feeling threatened by the crowd, opened fire, killing five colonists, including Crispus Attucks, an African American sailor.
3. Colonial Response: The Boston Massacre stirred outrage and resentment among the American colonists. It became a focal point for anti-British sentiment and was widely publicized through newspapers and pamphlets circulated throughout the colonies. This incident also led to increased support for the growing independence movement and united the colonists against British rule.
4. Propaganda and Political Mobilization: Revolutionary leaders, such as Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, seized on the Boston Massacre as a propaganda opportunity, portraying it as a deliberate act of aggression by the British soldiers. They used this incident to rally support for resistance against British rule and to advocate for increased colonial self-governance.
5. Trial and Acquittal: Following the Boston Massacre, British soldiers were arrested and put on trial, with famous lawyer John Adams representing them. The trial contributed to the growing anti-British sentiment as the soldiers were acquitted of most serious charges, further fueling public anger against perceived British influence over the colonial justice system.
6. Committees of Correspondence: The Boston Massacre also led to the establishment of Committees of Correspondence, which were local groups formed to exchange information and coordinate resistance against British policies. These committees played a crucial role in uniting the colonies and strengthening their resolve for independence.
7. Escalation and Outbreak of War: The Boston Massacre added momentum to the unfolding events that ultimately led to the Revolutionary War. It galvanized the colonists, increased their collective sense of injustice, and solidified their determination to assert their rights and break away from British rule.
In summary, while the Boston Massacre was not the sole cause of the Revolutionary War, it was a critical catalyst. It heightened tensions, sparked anti-British sentiment, united the colonists against British rule, and ultimately contributed to the escalation of conflicts that led to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in later years.