Why did the stamp act lead to the Boston massacre

Riots and protests were common occurrences as well as attacks on tax officials. On October 1768 troops arrived in Boston requested by Governor Francis Bernard. The purpose of the 14th and 29th regiments was to protect government officials against mob attacks, restore order and reinforce collection of taxes.

A group of merchants with the support of the Sons of Liberty had decided to boycott those products affected by the Townshend duties. During the morning of February 22nd a crowd had gathered to demonstrate in front of a merchant's office suspected of breaking the boycott. Violence was imminent as the crowd shouted epithets at Ebenezer Richardson, an informer for the customs service. As the mob chased him he fired into the crowd killing eleven-year old Christopher Seider who died from a gunshot to his abdomen. Samuel Adams paid for his funeral and John Adams wrote: "My eyes never beheld such a funeral". Tension was gradually rising between civilians and British soldiers and what happened on the night of March 5th, known as the Boston Massacre, was not entirely unanticipated.

Since 1765 the people of Boston had been heading protests against British taxation, first against the Stamp Act and then in 1767 against the Townsend Acts. Riots and protests were common occurrences as well as attacks on tax officials.