American Revolution: Boston Massacre IV

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: When Crispus Attucks and four other men were killed by British soldiers on the cold, clear night of March 5, 1770, the news enflamed a Commonwealth of Massachusetts already hostile to presence of the troops. The soldiers were in Boston to maintain order, to intimidate colonial leaders who were reluctant enforce the laws of the Crown, and to assist in the collection of taxes imposed by the government of King George III to help pay for the defense of the colonies. Bostonians and many other Americans hated those taxes imposed "without representation," and took out their resentment on the troops sent to collect them.