This player was Paul Revere, who 21 days after the Boston
Massacre began selling color prints entitled, "The Bloody Massacre
perpetrated in King Street" (Achieving Early America). By selling the
prints so quickly, Paul Revere cemented his status as an American Patriot
and helped to spread the events of the Boston Massacre that went on to lead
America towards independence. His engraving is very one sided in its
depiction of the Boston Massacre, as it shows the British Redcoats ordered
by a commander to mow down a group of Bostonians. However, historical
accuracy was not Revere's primary concern. He instead wanted to spread the
incident to the world and help to instigate a united colonial front against
the British rule in the colonies. It is argued that "by popularizing the
tragic event, Paul Revere's print became 'the first powerful influence in
forming an outspoken anti-British public opinion,'" which makes Revere and
important player in the event and the effects of the Boston Massacre
(Achieving Early America).
The Boston Massacre also spawned other key players in the ensuing
events. Samuel Adams rose to be a patriot that demanded the British the
British to leave. On March 6, 1770, he formed a committee to petition for
the removal of British troops from Boston (LINDER 2001). He continued by
promoting anti-British propaganda, and like Revere, used the event to
further the colonial opposition to British rule. The Boston Massacre thus
triggered John Adam's rise to well known patriot. The trial...
But his cousin, John Adams, defended the
soldiers and although he faced criticism for his actions, John Adams
considered it important and necessary to preserve American integrity by his
proper defending of the soldiers (LINDER 2001). He would go on to be Vice
President and America's second President, was he was able to overcome the
initial public opposition to his defending of the British.
In the end, the Boston Massacre was an early and leading inciter to
the eventual American Revolution. It was a historical event that reflected
the growing tension of the time and was a spark that led to a much greater
flame was put into the hands of anti-British American colonialists. While
the British soldiers may appear to have won the battle and succeeded in the
ensuing trial, it was the anti-British American colonialists who clearly
benefited from this event as it helped to ensure that the British
impositions in Boston would not go ignored.
Works Cited
"Boston Massacre a Behind-the-Scenes Look At Paul Revere's Most Famous
Engraving." Achieving Early America. 24 Apr. 2007
.
"Boston Massacre." Boston Massacre Historical Society. 2007. 24 Apr. 2007
.
"Boston Massacre Jump Back in Time." The Library of Congress. 2007. 24 Apr.
2007 .
Linder, Douglas. "Key Figures in the Boston Massacre Trials." UMKC Famous
Trials Homepage. 2001. 24 Apr. 2007
.
