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Summary and Objective
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, about 2 ½ years after British troops had been sent to Boston to enforce the rules of the King. What happened that day to cause the event we know describe as the Boston Massacre?
By analyzing these materials students will begin to answer questions such as:
How do the narratives of the event contrast with the picture by Paul Revere?
What caused the event? Do stories differ on this? Why?
Do you see any evidence of bias? If so, what is it?
Objectives:
Students will compare and contrast pictures and narratives of the event with material found in their textbook.
Students will understand that looking at images and reading reports, show that these events were complex.
Students will understand that narratives of the event differ based on the perspective on the individual.
Students will understand that representations of an event may speak to a particular perspective.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Split students into small groups. Provide each group of students with a copy of the Paul Revere engraving as well as one piece of written documentation* about the event (in addition to their text book).
* See Step 6 for additional information.
Step 2.
Students will carefully look at the picture provided, interpreting the picture (based on their pre-existing knowledge) and writing up a short description of what they can interpret from the picture. Use either http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/revolution/revolution_art.cfm or http://www.bostonmassacre.net/index.html websites for additional pictures.
Step 3.
Students will read the written documentation they were provided. They will answer the questions listed above as well as questions that they have raised through their reading.
Step 4.
Students will prepare a short presentation for the class, presenting their analysis.
Step 5.
A class discussion will provide an opportunity for students to continue to debate this issue and explore questions such as the role of propaganda in influencing people.
Step 6.
* Additional information - You may want to use some of the links listed below as resources. There is a report that was published by the Boston Gazette about the Boston Massacre as well as Captain Thomas Preston's account. In addition you may want to go to the Library of Congress website (http://memory.loc.gov) and type Boston Massacre in the search field. Scroll down the list and look for "An Account of a late military massacre in Boston.
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