The Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1770, received its name due to the violent confrontation between British soldiers and a crowd of colonists. At that time, tensions were already high in Boston, fueled by resentment toward British rule and the presence of British troops in the city.
The term ‘massacre’ was used by colonial leaders to describe the event in order to galvanize public opinion against the British government. During the altercation, five American colonists were killed, which was seen as a brutal and unprovoked attack by the soldiers. This portrayal was strategically amplified by figures like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, who used the incident in their propaganda to incite anti-British sentiment.
The use of the word ‘massacre’ not only highlighted the loss of life but also served to frame the British soldiers as oppressors, reinforcing the narrative of the colonies fighting against tyranny. Thus, the name ‘Boston Massacre’ became a rallying cry in the growing movement for independence.