What event is known as the Boston Massacre?

The Boston Massacre refers to a confrontation that took place on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. This event was significant as it heightened tensions between the American colonists and British authorities, contributing to the growing animosity that would eventually lead to the American Revolution. The term “massacre” reflects the perception among colonists of the British military's use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, and it was used effectively in colonial propaganda to unite colonists against British rule.

The context surrounding this event involved rising unrest due to British policies and taxes imposed on the colonies, leading to increased friction between colonists and British soldiers stationed in Boston. While there were protests against various acts, including the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, these particular actions do not specifically describe the Boston Massacre itself. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, which occurred years later in 1776, is entirely separate from the events of the Boston Massacre. Thus, identifying the confrontation where British troops killed colonists as the Boston Massacre accurately captures the essence and historical significance of the event.