Today in history, on March 5, 1770, a violent incident unfolded on Boston’s King Street, where an agitated group of Massachusetts colonists swarmed around a group of British regulars.

After a group of Bostonians uttered insults, threw snowballs, and dared the British to fire, several soldiers ultimately fired into the crowd. While some colonists alleged that Captain Preston ordered the soldiers to fire into the group, the soldiers claimed the action was taken upon a misinterpretation of Preston’s order not to fire.

Five Bostonians died, and six were seriously wounded, including a young boy. This incident did much to exacerbate tensions between the colonists and the crown. Firebrands such as Samuel Adams and Paul Revere quickly branded the incident the “Boston Massacre,” and worked quickly to depict the event as an egregious assault against a peaceable people.

Additionally, they used the episode to initiate a boycott of British goods, which the two rallied support for over the coming months. In the court of public opinion, public unrest toward the British grew to an all-time high.

Future President John Adams accepted the case of Captain Preston and the British soldiers, providing a legal defense for the men in the face of murder charges. Adams believed judgment of death for the soldiers would be intolerable, and hoped to prevent London from perceiving Bostonians as a lawless group of ruffians. Their rights as Englishmen, Adams thought, would be more likely to persist if the colonies did not resort to arbitrary punishments and violent reactions. At this point, Adams hoped to preserve good faith between the colonies and their mother country. While two soldiers were convicted of manslaughter (and branded on their hands), six were acquitted entirely.

Prior to the event, friction between the colonies and the crown was already apparent.

In 1768, the Townshend Acts imposed taxes upon the colonies, which sparked widespread objections. In response to colonial indignation and obstruction of the taxes, Britain sent soldiers in hopes of assisting with the enforcement of the acts and to keep the peace – giving the appearance of a standing army, a hostile action under the British tradition. Boston’s most notorious Whig politicians the taxes contrary to England’s constitutional system, and believed the presence of British forces was indicative of a coercive attempt to establish forcible rule over the colonies.

Many consider those who died in Boston to be the first martyrs of the patriot cause, and the event set the stage for future conflict between the colonies and Britain.

Whatever one thinks about the culpability of this incident, it was an incredibly important event that turned colonial sentiment against the British crown. In many ways, it was a pivotal step on the road to independence.

Dave Benner
Latest posts by Dave Benner (see all)

The 10th Amendment

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

LEARN MORE

01

Featured Articles

On the Constitution, history, the founders, and analysis of current events.

featured articles

02

Tenther Blog and News

Nullification news, quick takes, history, interviews, podcasts and much more.

tenther blog

03

State of the Nullification Movement

232 pages. History, constitutionality, and application today.

get the report

01

Path to Liberty

Our flagship podcast. Michael Boldin on the constitution, history, and strategy for liberty today

path to liberty

02

maharrey minute

The title says it all. Mike Maharrey with a 1 minute take on issues under a 10th Amendment lens. maharrey minute

Tenther Essentials

2-4 minute videos on key Constitutional issues - history, and application today

TENTHER ESSENTIALS

Join TAC, Support Liberty!

Nothing helps us get the job done more than the financial support of our members, from just $2/month!

JOIN TAC

01

The 10th Amendment

History, meaning, and purpose - the "Foundation of the Constitution."

10th Amendment

03

Nullification

Get an overview of the principles, background, and application in history - and today.

nullification