Print, "The Bloody Massacre", 1832

1770 03 05

Events in Boston in 1770 confirmed many patriots’ worst fears about the dangers of putting policing power in the hands of an armed military. British troops in Boston were supposed to see Parliament’s laws peacefully enforced. But military occupation of the city created bitter disputes between soldiers and civilians. Five colonists died when soldiers fired on a crowd. Silversmith Paul Revere, a fervent patriot activist, created prints of the event to fan the flames of public outrage. This copy from Revere’s plate was made in 1832.