Crispus Attucks: First Revolutionary Martyr — Reading Comprehension

Crispus Attucks was the first person killed in the Boston Massacre, an event that sparked the American Revolution. As tensions between British soldiers and American colonists grew in Boston, Attucks became a symbol of resistance and sacrifice. His death on March 5, 1770, is often seen as the first bloodshed in the struggle for American independence.

To understand Attucks’s significance, it is important to compare the perspectives of the British soldiers, the colonists, and Attucks himself. Many British soldiers were stationed in Boston to enforce new laws and taxes, which angered the colonists. The colonists, including Attucks, viewed these laws as unfair and a threat to their liberty, or personal freedoms. For example, the colonists protested the Townshend Acts, which placed taxes on everyday goods like tea and paper.

Crispus Attucks was of African and Native American descent. As a sailor and dockworker, he understood the harsh realities of life in colonial Boston. Many sources suggest that Attucks was a leader in the crowd that confronted the British soldiers on the night of the massacre. According to a witness, “Attucks appeared to be the foremost in the attack upon the troops.” This primary source shows that Attucks was actively involved, not just an accidental victim. However, some historians debate whether he was leading a protest or simply present at the wrong place and time.

The Boston Massacre was the result of ongoing conflict between the colonists and the British authorities. Colonists resented the presence of armed soldiers in their city and the loss of self-government. The soldiers, on the other hand, felt threatened by the hostile crowds. On March 5, 1770, after a tense exchange of words and objects thrown by the crowd, British soldiers fired into the group, killing five people, including Attucks.

Both sides used the tragedy for their own purposes. Colonial leaders like Samuel Adams described Attucks as a martyr who died for freedom. British officials argued that the soldiers acted in self-defense. The trial that followed was notable because John Adams, a future president, defended the soldiers in court. John Adams argued, “Facts are stubborn things,” emphasizing the need for evidence over emotions. This quote reminds us that understanding history requires careful examination of different viewpoints and sources.

Crispus Attucks’s death had lasting consequences. His story was used by abolitionists and revolutionaries to highlight the role of African Americans in the fight for independence. Attucks became a symbol of courage and unity, but it is important to remember the complexity of his legacy. Some people see him as a deliberate hero, while others see him as a victim of broader conflicts.

The story of Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre helps us analyze how individuals and events shape history. By comparing perspectives and examining evidence, we understand not just what happened, but why it mattered to different people at the time.

Interesting Fact: After the Boston Massacre, annual commemorations in Boston honored Crispus Attucks and the other victims as early heroes of American liberty.

Who was Crispus Attucks?

When did the Boston Massacre happen?

Which law angered colonists?

Why did British soldiers fire into the crowd?

What role did John Adams play?

What does 'martyr' mean in this passage?

Crispus Attucks was killed in the Boston Massacre. True or false?

Which word means 'original document from the event'?