HIS 121Boston Massacre Questions | Primary Source | Questions | #1 | 1. What happened on March 2nd that may have angered Bostonians? 2. Was the Committee report specific about the number of British soldiers? What might that indicate? 3. What words used by the Committee make a strong argument against the British? | #2 | 1. Who gave the order to fire? Was it Captai
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HIS 121Boston Massacre Questions
| Primary Source | Questions
| #1 | 1. What happened on March 2nd that may have angered Bostonians? 2. Was the Committee report specific about the number of British soldiers? What might that indicate? 3. What words used by the Committee make a strong argument against the British?
| #2 | 1. Who gave the order to fire? Was it Captain Preston or someone in the patriot crowd? 2. What did the crowd do that may have frightened the soldiers into thinking they might be attacked by the people in the street? 3. What more could Mr. Tant describe after the shots were fired?
| #3 | 1. At 9:00 at night, why were the bells ringing in Boston? Was it some sort of signal? 2. The event took place near a customs house. Why might this be important information to consider? 3. From Captain Preston’s point of view, what was the intent of this unruly crowd? 4. How did Captain Preston attempt to settle this matter?
| #4 | 1. Was the mob becoming more intense and dangerous? What makes you think this way? 2. Which side seems to be at blame for starting the firing of muskets? What evidence from Preston’s testimony made you think this was so? 3. Would Captain Preston have any reason to tell less than the exact truth? Give a reason for your answer.
| #5 | 1. Based on this engraving, who looks like the victims, the British soldiers or the American colonists? Explain. 2. How would you describe the behavior and actions of the crowd? 3. How would you describe the behavior and actions of the British soldiers? 4. Paul Revere, an American, made this engraving. Why is this important information when interpreting this piece of art?
| #6 | 1. In the text above the coffins, how are the four dead men described? What does this text tell you about the author’s opinion of the Boston Massacre? 2. How did Paul Revere try to make readers feel when they looked at the coffins? What evidence do you have to support your opinions? 3. When Revere created his art, was he considering multiple opinions? Explain your answer and offer evidence.
| #7 | 1. Is John Adams proud of his role as defense attorney for Captain Preston and the other British soldiers? What words or sentences from this quotation support that? 2. John Adams still believed that the term “massacre” was appropriate. Even though he was the defense attorney, what is his reason for making such a statement?
Conclusion: As an investigator, based on the primary sources you’ve analyzed, who do you believe was at fault for the Boston Massacre, and why? Be sure to justify your answer with the evidence you were presented.
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