Question

What is the biggest difference of opinion between these two accounts?

what caused the general hostility between colonists and troops
what incited the British soldiers to shoot into the crowd
what resulted from the massacre in the city of Boston
what happened after the first few shots were fired


In passing to this station the soldiers pushed several persons with their bayonets . . . . This occasioned some snowballs to be thrown at them which seems to have been the only provocation that was given. . . . the soldiers of his detachment had attacked the people with their bayonets and . . . there was not the least provocation . . . .

Captain Preston is said to have ordered them to fire, and to have repeated that order.

–Witnesses to the massacre

On my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word "fire” and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out, "Fire, fire,” but I assured the men that I gave no such order; that my words were, "Don’t fire, stop your firing.” In short, it was scarcely possible for the soldiers to know who said fire, or don’t fire, or stop your firing.

–British officer Thomas Preston

Answer 1

What incited the British soldiers to shoot into the crowd

Step-by-step explanation:

The first witness account said that the soldiers fired with no reason, the only things that could have triggered them except some people throwing snowballs. They said that Captain Preston ordered fire several times.

Captain Preston's account is the exact opposite of that. He says that he never told them to fire, but only told them to "stop their fire" after they began shooting. He said that the people were the ones that said "fire"

Answer 2

Hi there

Your answer is:

B: what incited the British soldiers

Step-by-step explanation:

edge 2020