Changes

== Violence Begins ==

== Violence Begins ==

In 1770, in what became known as the "Boston Massacre," British troops (which had been stationed in Boston to enforce the Townshend Act) fired upon a colonial mob that was throwing snowballs (with rocks in them) at the soldiers.  The massacre resulted in the death of 5 colonists.<ref>http://www.bostonmassacre.net/plot/detailed1.htm</ref>.  The future President John Adams then served as the defense attorney for the British soldiers, and obtained "not guilty" (acquittal) verdicts for them because they were provoked into shooting.

In 1770, in what became known as the "Boston Massacre," British troops (which had been stationed in Boston to enforce the Townshend Act) fired on a colonial mob that was throwing snowballs (with rocks in them) at the soldiers.  The massacre resulted in the death of 5 colonists.<ref>http://www.bostonmassacre.net/plot/detailed1.htm</ref>.  The future President John Adams then served as the defense attorney for the British soldiers, and obtained "not guilty" (acquittal) verdicts for them because they were provoked into shooting.

This incident outraged the colonies, but it was followed by relative calm from 1770 to 1773.  Things were not completely calm, however.  In 1772, in what became known as the Gaspee incident, Rhode Island colonists boarded the British Gaspee ship and burned her, to the King's great outrage.  The Gaspee had run aground while chasing smugglers, and the Rhode Island colonists had taken advantage of its misfortune.

This incident outraged the colonies, but it was followed by relative calm from 1770 to 1773.  Things were not completely peaceful, however.  In 1772, in what became known as the Gaspee incident, Rhode Island colonists boarded the British Gaspee ship and burned her, to the King's great outrage.  The Gaspee had run aground while chasing smugglers, and the Rhode Island colonists had taken advantage of its misfortune.

Meanwhile, the revolutionary Samuel Adams was busy establishing a resistance organization known as the Committee of Correspondence.  This group, and others like it throughout the colonies, shared and disseminated information on the Britain's activities.   

Meanwhile, the revolutionary Samuel Adams was busy establishing a resistance organization known as the Committee of Correspondence.  This group, and others like it throughout the colonies, shared and disseminated information on Britain's activities.   

Thus, although conflicts diminished somewhat from 1770 to 1773, colonists retained their opposition to British oppression.  The tea tax remained in effect, so many colonists refused to drink British tea, and once again, their boycott was felt in England.

Thus, although conflicts diminished somewhat from 1770 to 1773, colonists retained their opposition to British oppression.  The tea tax remained in effect, so many colonists refused to drink British tea, and once again, their boycott was felt in England.