The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay
The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay
A Short Paper Assignment allows you to demonstrate your research skills to your instructor and to receive feedback that will benefit you when you write research papers for future courses. With this assignment, you will learn how to do proper research and write a short paper.The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay
You are allowed to choose your own topic, as long as it pertains to the subject of this course. If you have any questions on subject matter, please contact your instructor. This is your opportunity to look a little deeper at a subject that interests you.
This short paper is at least three double-spaced pages of text (Times New Roman, font size 12) and you must consult a minimum of two academically credible sources. Your bibliography and citations may be in APA, MLA, or Chicago Style format. Students majoring in history must use Chicago Style format.
The short paper needs to be turned in through the assignment section for grading. If you use any of the information from your sources word-for-word, you must cite the source by using endnotes, footnotes, or parenthetical citations. If you read the information and write it in your own words and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source because you are paraphrasing someone’s information.
The short paper must include a cover page with your name, course number and course title, instructor’s name, and date. You must also include a bibliography at the end of your paper. While composing your paper, use proper English. Do not use abbreviations, contractions, passive voice, or first/ second person (I, you, we, our, etc). Before submitting your paper, check your grammar and use spell check. Remember, the way you talk is not the way you write a paper. Please label your paper as follows: lastnamefirstnameHIST101ShortPaper.The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay
Introduction
The historical events are significant both as milestone indicator of the progress that the country has made and as well, what has shaped the modern America, notably in areas of political social and economic aspects. As such, the most notable events before the 1877 was the ones that led to the American revolution in the quest for its independence. One such event was the 1770 Boston massacre that emanated from the agitation for the independence and the growing resistance from the colonists against the British colonies (Brown, 2004). This event will be remembered as one of the key events that took the center stage in the America’s struggle for the independence. This essay will focus on the 1770 Boston massacre, what led to it and its aftermath effects that makes it one of the notable historical events in the American history.
The 1770 Boston Massacre Historical Analysis
Towards the middle of the 18th century, the British colonialists had started to experience shortage of funding that would cater for the colony operations especially within America (Roberts, 2004). As such, the colonialists devised measures that would ensure that they acquire revenues that would sustain the colony operations. One way to achieve this was to widen the tax collection through the introduction of new tax measures. Through the British parliament, there saw establishment of 2 Acts that targeted the British American colonies; The Stamp Act of 1765 and The Townshend Acts of 1767 (Cantwell, 2015, Oct 29). Both of these acts were responsible for the new tax measures on paper documents and goods imported to the American colonies respectively.
With the pressure mounting for the British government that was running in debt, the colonial authorities sent a significant number of the British troops to America to impose the tax (Roberts, 2004). These new laws were unpopular with the already angry American colonists and were unwelcome (Brown, 2004). As such, there was an increase in conflict between the British soldiers and the colonists who opposed the new tax measures that were imposed on them. Their biggest protest was lack of representation in the process of developing and imposition of the tax laws and saw this as a way of the continued oppression against the Americans (Magra, 2013).The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay
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By 1770, the resistance was now growing big and by February that same year, a protest had taken shape, especially against private soldiers that guarded various business entities around Boston. In march, 1770, a fight broke out outside one of the custom offices and led to shooting of six colonists and seriously wounding others (Brown, 2004). As the act was conducted by British soldiers, it emerged that they used excessive force against civilians, and this led to more protests and quests for justice and independence. Later on, the spirit of struggle bared fruits as the first American congress dubbed “Boston tea party” happened through the quest for American representation to the colony decisions, need for independence and as well, push for fair taxation (Elaine, 2002).
The Boston massacre remains a turning point in the American quest for independence as it exposed the hatred among the colonialist and the American colonists through a taxation plan that seemed unfair to one side and as well, lack of representation during the taxation decision-making processes (Brown, 2004). Although the colonialist seemed to cooperate in the quest for justice for those who committed the massacre, the long wait and acquittal for the British soldiers that were involved portrayed a picture of carelessness and non-interest on the side of British colonialists. This further deteriorated the relationship between the colony and the colonialists, igniting the agitation for the independence (Magra, 2013).
The American independence emanated from major events and the most significant element across all the events was the people’s agitation for independence. The bloodshed was inevitable considering that the British colony was a bit harsh on its application for laws and the use of military force was not welcome either and this did more damage than cure when it came to the relationship of the authorities and the colonists. The 1770 Boston massacre was one clear evidence that things were not going to soften and the quest for justice did not favor the victims of the massacre either (Brown, 2004). Although the modern America is independent, the struggle for equality and social justice internally as a country is still evident. Police brutality and unpopular laws are some of the key areas that has experienced key challenges right from the country’s independence period to today’s modern world. The struggle for equality and social justice is not bound to end soon and its roots can be traced back to the colonialist’s era.The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay
Conclusion
The 1770 Boston massacre will remain as Americas turning point for the quest of the independence. It also serves as evident of the deteriorating relationship between the colonizers and the colonists. Poor taxation measures and militarization of the tax compliance was an ill-advised idea by British colonialists to exercise their authority power over poor citizens. Nevertheless, the 1770 Boston massacre will remain as one of the notable events that escalated leading to the American struggle for independence and abolishment of taxation laws tat were unfair to the intended taxation bracket.
References
Brown, M. (2004). The fifth of march: A story of the Boston massacre. School Library Journal,
50(4), 80.
Cantwell, S. (2015, Oct 29). BRIEF: Stamp act rebellion re-enactment set. TCA Regional News
Elaine, F. W. (2002). The Boston tea party / the Boston massacre. School Library Journal, 48(6),
Magra, C. P. (2013). Anti-impressment riots and the origins of the age of revolution.
International Review of Social History, 58, 131-151. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0020859013000291
Roberts, P. (2004). Bruce H Mann, republic of debtors: Bankruptcy in the age of American
independence. Business History, 46(2), 295-298.The 1770 Boston Massacre Essay