Boston Massacre & the
Boston Tea Party
Directions: Use the websites below to answer the questions. Each question is
worth 5 points.
Boston Massacre
Go to: https://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/boston_massacre.php
1) When did the Boston Massacre occur?
March 5, 1770.
2) What laws did Britain institute prior to the Boston Massacre? Why did these laws upset
the colonists? revenue Act of 1767: This law imposed taxes on various imported goods,
including glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.Quartering Act: This law required colonists to
provide housing and supplies to British troops stationed in America. Overall, these laws
were seen by the colonists as unfair and oppressive, violating their rights and undermining
their autonomy.
3) How did Britain respond to colonists protesting the new laws?
increased military presence: Britain sent additional troops to the American colonies to
maintain order and enforce the new laws. Suppression of protests: British officials
cracked down on colonists who actively protested against the new laws.
4) What were the colonists doing to the British soldiers outside of the Customs House?
The colonists were harassing and provoking the British soldiers outside of the Customs
House.
5) What caused the British soldiers to fire into the crowd?
The British soldiers fired into the crowd due to a combination of factors and escalating
tensions. the colonists were harassing and physically confronting the soldiers, throwing
objects, and verbally threatening them.
6) How many colonists were killed after the incident? What happened to eight of the
British soldiers?
After the incident, five colonists were killed Eight. soldiers were put on trial: Following the
incident, eight British soldiers were arrested and charged with murder for their role in
the shooting.
7) Who represented the eight British soldiers? What did he think they deserved?
John Adams, a prominent lawyer and future president of the United States, represented
the eight British soldiers during their trial.
8) What happened to the British soldiers charged with murder?
the commanding officer during the incident, Captain Preston was initially charged with
ordering his soldiers to fire into the crowd. Private Montgomery was also acquitted after
claiming self-defense during the trial.The other six soldiers faced trial separately from
Captain Preston and Private Montgomery.
9) What was the effect of the Boston Massacre?
The sight of British soldiers firing upon unarmed colonists fueled anger and resentment
towards the British government and its perceived oppressive policies.The incident was
quickly exploited by colonial leaders and activists as a symbol of British tyranny.
10) What group used the event to show the evils of British rule?
The Sons of Liberty used the event of the Boston Massacre to highlight the perceived
evils of British rule
Boston Tea Party
Go to: https://www.ducksters.com/history/boston_tea_party.php
11) When did the Boston Tea Party occur?
December 16, 1773.
12) What action did the colonists take to protest the British government?
The colonists organized boycotts of British goods as a form of economic protest. Colonists
held public protests and demonstrations to voice their grievances against British policies.
13) Why did the colonists dump 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor?
The colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor as an act of protest
against the British government.
14) Why were the colonists upset about the Tea Act?
The Tea Act of 1773 granted the British East India Company a monopoly on the sale of tea
in the American colonies. This meant that the colonists could only purchase tea from this
company, eliminating competition and giving the company exclusive control over the tea
trade.
15) How much money would the tea that was dumped into Boston Harbor be worth today?
the modern value of the tea would be around $520-$910.
Boston Massacre Engraving by Paul Revere
Use the above engraving for questions 16-19.
16) What is the name of Paul Revere’s engraving?
the Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street
17) Do you think Paul Revere was a Patriot or a Loyalist? Explain your answer.
Paul Revere was a Patriot during the American Revolutionary War. Here are a few reasons
to support this conclusion. Revere actively participated in various political activities that
favored the American cause against British rule. He was a member of the Sons of Liberty,
a secret organization that opposed British taxation and advocated for colonial rights.
18) Describe three ways Paul Revere used propaganda in the engraving. (*propaganda- ideas
that are often false or exaggerated.)
Exaggeration of British Brutality: Revere's engraving portrays the British soldiers firing
directly into a crowd of defenseless colonists, creating a dramatic and exaggerated scene.
19) What was the purpose of Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre?
The purpose of Paul Revere's engraving of the Boston Massacre was to sway public opinion
and generate support for the Patriot cause.
Boston Tea Party
Eyewitness account of the Boston Tea Party:
“The tea destroyed was contained in three ships, lying near each other at what was
called at that time Griffin's wharf, and were surrounded by armed ships of war…
It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian,
equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the
tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal
dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay
that contained the tea.
When we arrived at the wharf, there were three of our number who assumed an
authority to direct our operations, to which we readily submitted. They divided us
into three parties, for the purpose of boarding the three ships which contained
the tea at the same time…. And requested to do no damage to the ship or rigging.
We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the
chests of tea and throw them overboard…We were surrounded bv British armed
ships, but no attempt was made to resist us.
One Captain O'Connor, whom I well knew, came on board for that purpose, and
when he supposed he was not noticed, filled his pockets, and also the lining of his
coat. But I had detected him and gave information to the captain of what he was
doing. We were ordered to take him into custody…
The next morning, after we had cleared the ships of the tea, it was discovered
that very considerable quantities of it were floating upon the surface of the
water; and to prevent the possibility of any of its being saved for use, a number of
small boats were manned by sailors and citizens, who rowed them into those parts
of the harbor wherever the tea was visible, and by beating it with oars and paddles
so thoroughly drenched it as to render its entire destruction inevitable.” –George
Hewes, 1773
20) According to the document, what were tea protestors not to do to the ship?
The tea protestors were explicitly instructed not to damage or destroy the ship during
their protest
21) According to the document, what were the tea protestors ordered to do on the ship?
The tea protestors were ordered to board the ship and dump the tea cargo into the
harbor.
22) Why do you think the protestor caught stealing tea was arrested and taken into
custody?
The protestor who was caught stealing tea was most likely arrested and taken into custody
due to The act of stealing tea during the protest could be seen as an act of disorder or
chaos. Maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of individuals and property is a key
responsibility of law enforcement.
23) Why did the colonists destroy the tea that was still visible in the harbor?
The act of destroying the visible tea was a symbolic protest against British taxation
policies, particularly the Tea Act. By dumping the tea into the harbor, the colonists aimed
to demonstrate their strong opposition and refusal to comply with British authority.
24) How did the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party affect the relationship
between Britain and the 13 Colonies?
Both events heightened tensions between Britain and the colonists. The Boston Massacre,
where British soldiers killed colonists, fueled anger and resentment towards British rule.
