The Boston Massacre & Boston Tea Party

Would you give up your favorite drink to join the boycott? Initial Activity You live in the New England colonies in the 1700s. Recently, British officials have placed new taxes on tea- your favorite drink. You’ve never been very interested in politics, but you’re beginning to think that people far across the ocean shouldn’t be able to tell you what to do. Some of your friends have joined a group that refuses to buy British tea. Would you give up your favorite drink to join the boycott?

Word Splash Repeal Boycott Intolerable Propaganda

Word Splash repeal: to do away with or cancel officially.

Word Splash boycott: to refuse to buy, use, or go to, in order to make a protest or bring about a change.

Word Splash intolerable: too difficult or unpleasant to be near or to be able to deal with

Word of the Day Propaganda: a story giving only one side in an argument to reach a certain goal

Boston Massacre Many Bostonians saw the presence of the British troops as a threat by the British government against the colonists. The soldiers knew they were not welcome. Both sides did not like each other. Name calling, arguments, and fights between the Bostonians and the soldiers were common.

Boston Massacre What do you think might happen after British Troops are brought to Boston? Explain.

Boston Massacre On March 5, 1770 a British soldier standing guard alone had an argument with a colonist and struck him. A crowd gathered around the soldier and began throwing snowballs and shouting insults. As more troops arrived, colonists told them to “fire if you dare”. Suddenly, the soldiers fired into the crowd, instantly killing three men, including sailor Crispus Attucks. Two people died later.

Boston Massacre What is a massacre? Why do you think the events in Boston would be called the Boston Massacre? Explain.

Boston Massacre Samuel Adams and other protestors quickly spread the story of the shootings. They used it as propaganda, or a story giving only one side in an argument to reach a certain goal, against the British. Colonists called the shootings the Boston Massacre. As a result of the shootings, the British soldiers and their officer were charged with murder. Jury found them not guilty because they were acting in self-defense.

The Boston Tea Party To reduce tensions in the colonies, Parliament repealed all of the Townshend Acts except for the tax on tea. Britain knew that the demand for tea was high even though there was a boycott. Colonial merchants were smuggling most of this tea without having to pay a tax on it. Parliament passed the Tea Act in 1773. Allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonists for lower prices. May encourage colonists to stop smuggling, which would give Britain more tax money.

The Boston Tea Party Three ships loaded with tea from the British East India Company arrived in Boston Harbor in 1773. Members of the Sons of Liberty demanded that the ships leave. The governor of Massachusetts would not let the ships leave without paying a tax. Unsure what to do, the captains waited in the harbor.

The Boston Tea Party On the night of December 16, 1773, colonists dressed up like Native Americans sneaked onto three tea-filled ships and dumped over 340 tea chests into the Boston Harbor. This event became known as the Boston Tea Party.

Intolerable Acts Parliament decided to punish Boston. In the spring of 1774, they passed the Coercive Acts. Colonists called these laws Intolerable Acts. The act had many effects: Boston Harbor was closed until Boston paid for the ruined tea. The governor decided if legislature could occur. Colonists had no say in government now. A new Quartering Act required colonists to house British soldiers. The British hoped these steps would bring back order in the colonies. Instead, they increased people’s anger at Britain.

What was the significance of Summary Answer the following question on a sheet of loose leaf: What was the significance of the Boston Massacre?