The Boston Massacre True Massacre Massacre The act

The Boston Massacre

True Massacre? Massacre: The act or an instance of killing a number of usually helpless or unresisting human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty Daniele da Volterra 1509 -1566

Or Propaganda? Propaganda: The spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person

What Happened? • March 5, 1770 • Children Passing by the Custom House began throwing snowballs at a British sentry • A mob formed, throwing stones and sticks • 1 British soldier fired, causing panic • End Result, 5 dead and 6 wounded colonists

Events leading up to Conflict • Quartering Act- forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers • Incident at Ropewalk- March 2, 1770 disagreement between dockworker and soldier led to violence • General fear of British Soldiers restricting Colonists Rights.

Who was Paul Revere? • Artist • Horseman • Silversmith • Son of Liberty

Paul Revere’s Boston Massacre

What do you See? • Who is attacking who? • Are the Colonists Armed • How does the painting make you feel?

Another view of the massacre John Pufford, ca 1856

What do you see? • What are the differences between this picture and Paul Revere’s? • How does this picture make you feel about the Colonists and the British Soldiers?

Conclusions • Which depiction do you feel is more accurate? • What do you feel were Paul Revere’s motives in painting “The Boston Massacre”? • Do you think Revere’s Painting helped develop a revolutionary spirit among the Colonists?