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Name: ____________________________
Social Studies 7
Date: _________________________
Propaganda & Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre happened on the evening of March 5, 1770 between some
citizens of Boston and British troops. Most likely, the citizens of Boston were the main
cause of the incident. Soon after its occurrence, Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty used
this tragedy to their advantage. They quickly coined the phrase “Boston Massacre” to
describe the event. The purpose of the Boston Massacre name was to try to make undecided
colonists become supports of the Sons of Liberty. It was really an accident and the Sons of
Liberty used propaganda to turn something small into something big. The propaganda in
the press about the Boston Massacre and a misleading engraving by Paul Revere (shown
above) helped to shape colonists’ opinion about the British soldiers and Parliament’s unfair
taxes.
Propaganda: ____________________________________________________________
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Study the engraving done by Paul Revere. Circle some parts of the engraving that
you think are pieces of propaganda.