Boston Massacre Impact

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The actions depicted in the print are not factually correct. The print displays

the appearance of innocent civilians being gunned down by British soldiers. The actual

event was street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a "patriot" mob, throwing

snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers (KINDIG). The “mob” was

aggressively harassing the soldiers in public response to the growing discontent with the

presence of British soldiers in the city.

John Adams wrote that the "foundation of American independence was laid" on

March 5, 1770 (GUNNING). The Boston Massacre proved to be a milestone in

America's road to independence. By popularizing the tragic event, Paul Revere's print

became "the first powerful influence in forming an outspoken anti-British public

opinion," one in which the revolutionary leaders had almost lost hope of achieving. This

galvanizing incident carried over into a media propaganda battle between Boston's

radicals and supporters of the government. This event began to drive public opinion

against the British. The Bost...

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