The Boston Massacre

Parliament in Great Britain had lost the battle over the stamp act. However, they were determined to assert their control over the colonies. In 1766 they passed a new decree that reaffirmed their right to pass laws regarding the colonies. The next year they passed a number of new taxes, including a tax on glass, lead, paper, and tea.

The colonies were again outraged, and many refused to pay them. In order to enforce these new tax laws, British officials requested military troops to aid them.

These military troops outraged the colonists. In the Winter of 1770 a small group of colonists in Boston were taking out their frustration with the troops by taunting them, and throwing snowballs at them. In retaliation, these soldiers opened fire, killing four of the Bostonians. This event became known as the Boston Massacre.

The events of the Boston Massacre were spread quickly by newspapers throughout the colonies further angering colonists. As a result, Great Britain was forced to once again repeal all of the new taxes they had enacted. However, in order to send a message that they were still in charge, they left the tax on tea in place.