5. Document Project 5: The Boston Massacre

Quiz for Document 5.5 Deposition of William Wyatt, March 7, 1770

Quiz for Document 5.5: Deposition of William Wyatt, March 7, 1770

Choose the best answer to each question.

1. According to William Wyatt’s description of the crowd, why might the soldiers have hesitated to fire into the gathered crowd of Bostonians?

Too many militia soldiers

Too many young boys

Too many women shopping

Too many fellow soldiers

2. To whom was Wyatt most likely sympathetic based on the language and details of his report?

The customs officials

The British officer in charge

The Boston Patriots

The tax collectors

3. Why did Wyatt mention the age of those “protesting” and their lack of antagonism toward the soldiers?

To emphasize the violent nature and aggressive actions of the crowd

To criticize the childish actions of the Boston townspeople

To condemn the tax collectors and customs officials for their regulations

To implicate the soldiers as having acted unprovoked against an innocent crowd.

4. Why were the British soldiers confounded or confused, according to William Wyatt?

The crowd was yelling for the soldiers to “fire” upon them.

The soldiers were not sure if the angry crowd was armed.

Their officer told the soldiers to fire and then asked them why they fired.

The soldiers were told not to shoot even as the crowd grew violent.

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