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American War of Independence
customs officials seized Boston merchant John Hancock's ship Liberty. Thousands of Boston citizens rioted, threatening British commissioners' lives and forcing them to flee Boston. When news of the Liberty Riot reached London 4,000 soldiers were ordered to Boston to protect the commissioners.
The presence of the troops, inevitably led to violence. In March 1770 a riot occurred between British troops and Boston citizens. The troops fired, killing five people. The trial of the soldiers was however delayed. 38 citizens gave evidence of a civilian attack on soldiers saying that the Americans had thrown ice, snow and missiles at soldiers. Confusion resulted from the mixed encounters given by witnesses. Due to this confusion the 5 soldiers were found not guilty of murder. 2 were later charged with manslaughter but the only punishment was the branding or a ‘M’ on their thumb. Americans believed that a massacre had occurred. The Boston Massacre (as it became known) caused extreme resentment towards the British. Britain were now seen as heartless tyrants and anger spread throughout the colonies. This anger was soon increased by further parliamentary legislation. This is where the American War of Independence begins.
Between 1775 and 1785 American and British soldiers took place in a war of American Independence. Over this time the War tore both American and British ties apart and internal American relations. Many factors contributed to this war. British had very high financial and moral expectations of the Americans while the Americans themselves did not believe that they were required to fulfill these expectations and co-operate in the British plans. The Americans were very much provoked by British actions although it is recognized that America played part in contributing to the start of the War.