Conflicts in Boston

Growing Tensions in Boston Townspeople were frustrated with British policies and taxes and began to act out. Townspeople were frustrated with British policies and taxes and began to act out. British customs officers sent word back to England that the colonies were on the brink of rebellion. British customs officers sent word back to England that the colonies were on the brink of rebellion. Parliament responded by sending more troops to Boston (“Redcoats”) who set up camp in the center of the city. Parliament responded by sending more troops to Boston (“Redcoats”) who set up camp in the center of the city. Send more soldiers to America! Yeah ! Good idea!

Redcoats in Boston Most colonists didn’t want the soldiers in their city. Most colonists didn’t want the soldiers in their city. Many soldiers behaved rudely and sometimes violently toward the colonists. Many soldiers behaved rudely and sometimes violently toward the colonists. Colonists taunted British soldiers in the streets. Sometimes soldiers would fight back. Colonists taunted British soldiers in the streets. Sometimes soldiers would fight back. British soldiers occasionally stole from local shops and took jobs from Bostonians. British soldiers occasionally stole from local shops and took jobs from Bostonians.

The Boston Massacre On March 5, 1770, the tension reached a breaking point. A fight broke out between colonists and soldiers. On March 5, 1770, the tension reached a breaking point. A fight broke out between colonists and soldiers. A mob of angry colonists moved through the snowy streets of Boston with any weapons they could find – sticks, shovels, stones, and clubs. A mob of angry colonists moved through the snowy streets of Boston with any weapons they could find – sticks, shovels, stones, and clubs.

The Boston Massacre A British guard called for help, and the crowd threw stones, snowballs (some with stones and bricks inside), oyster shells, and pieces of wood at the soldiers. A British guard called for help, and the crowd threw stones, snowballs (some with stones and bricks inside), oyster shells, and pieces of wood at the soldiers. Boston colonists taunted the soldiers, “Fire, you bloodybacks! You dare not fire!” Boston colonists taunted the soldiers, “Fire, you bloodybacks! You dare not fire!” In the confusion, the soldiers fired their weapons. In the confusion, the soldiers fired their weapons.

Results of The Boston Massacre Five colonists were killed. Five colonists were killed. –Crispus Attucks Colonial leaders used news of the killings as anti-British propaganda. Colonial leaders used news of the killings as anti-British propaganda. They spread the word through newspapers and posters showing the brutality of British soldiers. They spread the word through newspapers and posters showing the brutality of British soldiers.

Results of the Boston Massacre Many colonists called for stronger boycotts on British goods. Many colonists called for stronger boycotts on British goods. To ease the tension, Parliament repealed all taxes from the Townshend Acts, except taxes on tea. To ease the tension, Parliament repealed all taxes from the Townshend Acts, except taxes on tea. “Committees of Correspondence” continued to call for resistance to British rule and circulated writings about grievances (complaints) against Britain. “Committees of Correspondence” continued to call for resistance to British rule and circulated writings about grievances (complaints) against Britain.

Conflicts Over Tea Parliament kept a tax on tea because they felt American colonists would still pay for it. Tea was part of everyday life for most people. Parliament kept a tax on tea because they felt American colonists would still pay for it. Tea was part of everyday life for most people. Many colonists wanted Parliament to repeal taxes on tea and boycotted it. Many colonists wanted Parliament to repeal taxes on tea and boycotted it. The British East India Company faced ruin, so Parliament passed The Tea Act. The British East India Company faced ruin, so Parliament passed The Tea Act.

The Tea Act Parliament passed the Tea Act in 1773 to save the East India Company. Parliament passed the Tea Act in 1773 to save the East India Company. East India tea was cheaper than tea in the colonies because they didn’t have to pay taxes. East India tea was cheaper than tea in the colonies because they didn’t have to pay taxes. Colonial merchants felt this was unfair and hurt their businesses. Colonial merchants felt this was unfair and hurt their businesses.

The Boston Tea Party

Colonists in Philadelphia and New York protested and forced East India ships back to England. Another shipment went to Boston. Colonists in Philadelphia and New York protested and forced East India ships back to England. Another shipment went to Boston. The royal governor of Massachusetts ordered three British ships carrying tea to unload their cargo in Boston (despite boycotts). The royal governor of Massachusetts ordered three British ships carrying tea to unload their cargo in Boston (despite boycotts). Samuel Adams and the Boston Sons of Liberty quickly made a plan to protest. Samuel Adams and the Boston Sons of Liberty quickly made a plan to protest.

The Boston Tea Party At midnight on December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians boarded the ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea overboard. At midnight on December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians boarded the ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea overboard. This event is known as the Boston Tea Party. This event is known as the Boston Tea Party.

The Intolerable Acts After the Boston Tea Party, King George III realized that England was losing control of the colonies. After the Boston Tea Party, King George III realized that England was losing control of the colonies. To punish Boston colonists for dumping the tea, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts. To punish Boston colonists for dumping the tea, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts. These acts closed Boston Harbor until the citizens paid for the ruined tea. These acts closed Boston Harbor until the citizens paid for the ruined tea.