Boston Massacre

Clash between British soldiers and American workers, 5 March 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts, that left five Americans dead. Widely publicized and propagandized by Americans such as lawyer John Adams, the event contributed to anti‐British sentiment before the American Revolution.

Many people living in Boston resented British soldiers quartered there, whom they saw as invaders and competitors for work. For 18 months the highly‐charged atmosphere led to minor scuffles, which reached a climax in 1770. On 5 March an angry mob threatened a lone British sentry at the customs office. His call for help brought around ten reinforcements. After a mob surrounded them, preventing their return to the guardhouse, they panicked and opened fire. Five died, including sailor and former slave Crispus Attucks. The British subsequently withdrew troops from Boston.