The Townshend Acts (June 15–July 2, 1767) were a series of acts passed by the British Parliament to assert its dominance over its New World Colonies. Goods including paper, tea, glass, and lead were heavily taxed. The colonists were upset about the Townsend Acts because they believed that they were being taxed without representation in the British Parliament. The colonists argued that they should not have to pay taxes unless they had representatives in Parliament who could vote for them. The Townsend Acts were a significant factor in the growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain that ultimately led to the Boston Massacre.

Christopher Seider, an 11-year-old boy, was killed by British Customs Official Ebenezer Richardson. Seider was shot by Richardson just 11 days before the Massacre. A large crowd of protesters gathered around a loyalist shop and begin to taunt its customers. Customs Official Ebenezer Richardson attempted to break the crowd up, but he was only chased back to his home and attacked with sticks and stones. Richardson then fired out a broken window into the crowd. Seider was mortally wounded and later died. Afterward, Richardson was charged with murder, but he was later pardoned by King George The Third. This only antagonized the colonists more.