British troops firing their guns at colonial men was a regular occurrence. The Boston Massacre was a combination of colonial frustration with patriot propaganda. Only 6 men were killed but the Boston Massacre was a symbolic fight showing the rising tension between the colonists and British troops.
It was March 5, 1770 tensions were running high when a group of colonists confronted British soldiers and began to throw snowballs, sticks and stones. One of the soldiers heard the order for fire and he shot into the angry crowd, the rest of the soldiers began to fire. The first two people that were killed were ironically an African American and a Native American, who’s names were Michael Johnson and Crispus Attucks. I say ironically because both blacks and Indians fought in the revolutionary war but neither group benefit from the independence of America.
The Boston Massacre trial was the longest trial in colonial history, it was the first time a judge used the phrase “reasonable doubt“. Two of the soldiers who fired into the crowd were charged with manslaughter. John Adams who was a patriot and founding father was theie defense attorney. Even though he was against the British military occupation of the colonies he strongly believed in having fair trials and decided to take the case even if it affected his reputation as patriot.
Samuel Adams, cousin of John Adams used the Boston Massacre as fuel to inflame the colonist hatred towards the British, which lead to whispers of rebellion through out all thirteen colonies. He was one of the founding members of the Sons Of Liberty. He also used this event as a political stepping stone to gain influence and support from patriots. “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.” a famous quote by Samuel Adams talking about how as community we should come together and defend against any outside threats.
http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/boston_massacre.php
http://www.samuel-adams-heritage.com/biography/pre-revolution-boston-massacre.html
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/samuel_adams.html