Massacre or Riot? Boston Massacre Mini-Mock Trial

Introduction:

The blood of patriots runs through the streets of Boston, and the Redcoats are to blame! ...Or are they? You will be divided into groups of Sons of Liberty and Bostonians, British Soldiers, and John Adams in order to debate the following issues:

❖ What really happened on that fateful night of March 5th, 1770?

❖ What issues led to the violence of the Boston Massacre?

❖ How is the mob in Boston reacting to the presence of British troops and to the recent violence and

problems with the government?

❖ Should the British Redcoats be convicted for murder?

Charges:

❖ Captain Thomas Preston and eight other soldiers are charged with the Murder of 5 Bostonians.

Assignment Links:

• Boston Massacre Multiple Perspectives (Trial Evidence, just read the testimonies, you do not need to answer the questions in this packet)

• Boston Massacre Facts

• Trial Witness Cards (summary of what witnesses actually said)

• The Boston Massacre Trials

• The British Perspective

Roles:

Click here to download a list of the Roles for your class

Prosecution

Robert Treat Paine - Lawyer

Samuel Quincy - Lawyer

Samuel Adams - Witness, Son of Liberty

Francis Archibald - Witness to earlier fight with soldiers

James Brewer - Denies seeing anyone with sticks or hearing any threats to soldiers

Benjamin Burdick - Testifies about soldiers aggressive behavior

Defense

John Adams - Lawyer

Josiah Quincy - Lawyer

Captain Thomas Preston - Testifies against the actions of the riotous crowd

Henry Knox - Testifies to an armed and dangerous crowd

Newton Prince - Testifies to an armed and dangerous crowd

Patrick Keeton - Describes an armed and dangerous Crispus Attucks

Process:

1. Familiarize yourself with the links listed above. Then write answers to the questions on the activity ( download the worksheet here).

2. Prepare for the courtroom debate based upon your assigned role in the trial. Then turn in your work at the end of the trial.

Trial Written Work/Preparation:

Lawyers/Witnesses:

1. Read through the links and fill out the activity worksheet (linked above)

2. Prepare a testimony to present at the trial. You are welcome to bring

visual aids as evidence, and you will receive extra credit if you dress the

part.

Jury

1. Read through the links and fill out the activity worksheet (linked above)

2. Take notes during the trial about what each witness testifies, the evidence

presented, and the arguments made.

3. TYPE a summary of the trial proceedings, then write what the verdict was

for the defendants and why SPECIFICALLY you felt that this verdict was

justified.

MISS THE TRIAL? SHAME! Click Here for the Make-Up Assignment