Boston Massacre Absent Worksheet
US History Absent Student Work
Thursday, September 24th
Boston Massacre: Background Knowledge & CSI
Complete this packet to make up today's lesson, background readings, and primary source investigation.
Name:
Period:
Date:
Review from yesterday…
What is the difference between a patriot and a loyalist?
The Soldiers Arrive
When Parliament heard about the violent protests related to the Townshend Acts, they decided to send more British soldiers to Boston. The soldiers were directed to make sure the law was enforced, and that the rioting ended.
The additional soldiers arrived in Boston in the fall of 1768. The colonists saw the soldiers as an occupying force - an outright invasion. They did not seek protection from the soldiers, and instead resisted the soldiers’ presence.
1. Why do you think the colonists didn’t like the arrival of the additional British soldiers?
Speaking Different Languages
The relationship between the colonists and the British during this time period can be seen like a relationship between a parent and a child.
The British viewed the colonists as spoiled rebellious children who weren’t appreciative of all the British had done for them. They had given the colonists access to land, to trade, and to protection. They had just started asking the colonists to pay some of the taxes that were paid by the citizens of England. Any punishments that were handed down to the colonists by Parliament were simply like a parent disciplining an unruly child (the colonists).
The colonists saw the situation much differently. They felt that they were the same as British citizens - they were just across the sea. Therefore, they felt that they should have representation in Parliament. Some colonists began comparing their treatment to the treatment of slaves.
The colonists hadn’t even thought to whisper the word “independence” in 1768. Still, some colonists began forming small groups to discuss the potential for a break from England. They began using the term “Patriots” to identify themselves.
2. How did the British leadership see the colonists? Explain.
3. How did the colonists describe the way they were being treated by Britain? Why would they say this?
Kenzig
US History • Lesson Continuation
Boston Massacre: Background Knowledge (Continued)
Name:
Enforcement
When the English troops arrived to enforce the Townshend Acts, they only served to increase the tension between the British and the colonists. British warships were placed in the Boston harbor with their cannons pointed straight at the homes and shops along the shore. The visibility of the cannons was intimidating and frightening to Boston’s citizens.
The soldiers increased the tension in Boston through their own behavior. They weren’t happy to be in Boston, and they were known to drink to excess in the taverns as a way of coping with their situation. The soldiers also took on part time jobs to make a bit of extra money. They didn’t worry as much about their pay because they were already earning a soldier’s salary. As a result, they placed themselves in direct job competition with Boston’s laborers and dock workers. Of course, this competition led to drunken fights and brawls in the streets. Other soldiers were arrested for desertion when they tried to run from Boston. One soldier, named Ames, was caught and executed in front of a crowd. Other soldiers were whipped publicly for their desertion. These punishments disgusted Boston’s citizens, and made them resent the British leadership even more.
The issues caused by the presence of troops in Boston were complicated. Citizens wouldn’t turn in soldiers for desertion, but they also threw rocks and snowballs at the soldiers on a daily basis. Soldiers were cursed and insulted, and called “lobsterbacks.” When soldiers were arrested for any crimes, they would have to pay fines, while Bostonians were almost never convicted. This served to encourage the people of Boston to actively torment the British soldiers.
4. Why did the tension build between the colonists and the British occupiers?
The Boston Massacre
The constant fighting led to five deaths on March 5, 1770, in what is known as the Boston Massacre. Ironically, the Townshend Acts had actually been repealed by Parliament the day before. Unfortunately, because communication was so slow across the Atlantic Ocean, Boston colonists had no idea.
The events leading up to the “Massacre” on March 5, 1770, had started on the 2nd of March. A British soldier looking for a part time job decided to ask at the shop of John Gray, a ropewalker (rope maker). Gray sarcastically told the soldier that the only job available was cleaning Gray’s outhouses. The soldier was enraged by this comment, and hit Gray. While the soldier then left the shop at that moment, he returned to the shop later that evening with a bunch of friends. A fight between the two groups broke out that night. The next day, on the 3rd, there were more fights on the streets, as more and more men on both sides were drawn into the “conversation.” While the 4th was calm, the 5th began with rumors of more fights to come.
What happened the night of March 5th was not the result of any plan, but rather the result of a build up of a year of conflict and mutual hatred between citizens and soldiers.
So, what happened that night? That will be our investigation.
5. What events happened in the days before the actual “Boston Massacre”?
Kenzig
Investigation Activity
CSI Boston Massacre
Name:
Mission: There was a British soldier guarding the Custom House (where the king’s money was). Colonists went up to the British soldier. This leads to what is known as the Boston Massacre. Your job is to decide which side is to blame, the colonists or the British soldiers.
Directions: Read Source E below. Then fill in each section of the evidence table, and determine the author's point of view.
TESTIMONY OF CAPTAIN THOMAS PRESTON OF THE 29TH REGIMENT — SOURCE E
The mob still increased and were more outrageous, striking their clubs one against another, and calling out, “come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare, Gosh darn you, fire and be darned, we know you won’t,” and much more such language was used.
At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob, talking with, and trying all in my power to persuade them to retire peaceably, but to no purpose. They advanced to the points of the bayonets, struck some of them and even the muzzles of the pieces, and seemed to be getting even closer to the soldiers.
One of the soldiers after receiving a severe blow with a stick, stepped a little on one side and instantly fired, on which turning to and asking him why he fired without orders, I was struck with a club on my arm, which for some time deprived me of the use of it, which blow had it been placed on my head, most probably would have killed me.
On this a general attack was made on the men by a great number of heavy clubs and snowballs being thrown at them, by which all our lives were in serious danger, some persons at the same time from behind calling out, “darn your bloods-why don't you fire.”
Instantly three or four of the soldiers fired, one after another, and directly after three more in the same confusion and hurry. The mob then ran away, except three unhappy men who instantly expired, one more is since dead, three others are dangerously, and four slightly wounded.
The whole of this sad affair happened in almost 20 minutes. When I asked the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out fire, fire, but I assured the men that I gave no such order; that my words were, “don't fire, stop your firing.” In short, it was scarcely possible for the soldiers to know who said fire, or don't fire, or stop your firing.
Source E Evidence Table
Complete each box using evidence from Captain Preston's testimony
<table class="w-full border-collapse border border-slate-300 text-[10px]"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="w-52 bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Scene (Where it took place)</td><td class="p-1 bg-white text-slate-700">Outside the Custom House in Boston (where the king's money was)</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Who started the fight?</td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="h-5 w-full"></div></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Weapons - British</td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="h-5 w-full"></div></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Weapons - colonists</td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="h-5 w-full"></div></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Colonist’s Actions</td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="h-5 w-full"></div></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Captain Preston’s Actions</td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="h-5 w-full"></div></td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Other soldiers’ Actions</td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="h-5 w-full"></div></td></tr><tr><td class="bg-slate-100 font-bold p-1 text-slate-900 border-r border-slate-300">Author's Point of View<br><span class="font-normal text-[9px] text-slate-600">(Patriot, Loyalist or Neutral)</span></td><td class="p-1 bg-white"><div class="flex items-center justify-between text-[9.5px] text-slate-700"><span>Circle: <strong>Patriot</strong> | <strong>Loyalist</strong> | <strong>Neutral</strong></span> <span class="text-slate-500">Why? __________________________________</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>
CSI Decision: Based on Captain Preston's account, which side was to blame (colonists or British soldiers)? Explain your decision with evidence from the text:
Kenzig
