The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre is considered to be one of the most important events that led to the American Revolution. In 1770, colonists were mad about the British attempting to tax them. On march 5, 1770, protesters from a group called the Sons of Liberty gathered outside the Customs House in Boston. The crowd pelted the guards with snow balls, rocks, and oyster shells. The crowd also started to mock the guards. Then, shots were fired by the guards, killing five colonists: Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Samuel Maverick, and Patrick Carr. The British soldiers were then tried for murder. They were defended by John Adams and, in the end, the six of the guards were found not guilty, and two were charged with manslaughter, but given reduced sentences. Although the colonists were angry, they thought that this had shown England that they wanted justice and law in the colonies.