Boston Massacre Trial and Aftermath

What happened on March 5th, 1770, in Boston?

• British soldiers opened fire on a group of people.

• Colonists attacked British soldiers.

• A peaceful protest turned violent.

• A fire broke out in the city.

How many people died on the day of the Boston Massacre?

• Three

• Four

• Five

• Six

Who was arrested and jailed shortly after the Boston Massacre?

• Colonial leaders

• Nine British soldiers and their captain

• All British soldiers in Boston

• Only Captain Thomas Preston

Why did John Adams agree to represent Captain Thomas Preston and the British soldiers?

• He was offered a large sum of money.

• He believed everyone had the right to a lawyer and a fair trial.

• He was a British Loyalist.

• He wanted to gain political popularity.

What was the main argument of the prosecution against Captain Preston during his trial?

• Preston personally shot five civilians.

• Preston was responsible for the deaths because he gave the order to fire.

• Preston was not present at the scene of the massacre.

• Preston encouraged the colonists to riot.

What two points did the prosecution need to prove in the trial of the soldiers?

• That the soldiers were present and fired their weapons.

• That the soldiers were present and intended to kill.

• That the soldiers were provoked and fired their weapons.

• That the soldiers were ordered to fire and were present.

What was the main argument presented by the defense lawyers for the soldiers?

• The soldiers were following orders from their superiors.

• The soldiers fired in self-defense because their lives were in danger.

• The soldiers were provoked by the crowd but did not intend to kill.

• The soldiers were not present at the scene of the incident.

What was a key point from Patrick Carr's dying declaration, relayed by his surgeon?

• He blamed the soldiers for firing on the crowd.

• He stated that soldiers in Ireland often fired on people without much provocation, but these soldiers endured more.

• He claimed the soldiers were not present at the scene.

• He said the soldiers should be convicted of murder.

What was the punishment for the two soldiers found guilty of killing by accident?

• They were sentenced to life imprisonment.

• They were executed for their crime.

• Their right thumbs were marked with a hot iron.

• They were immediately released without punishment.

Which amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury?

• The First Amendment

• The Second Amendment

• The Sixth Amendment

• The Tenth Amendment