The Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1770, was primarily caused by rising tensions between American colonists and British soldiers stationed in Boston. The colonists resented the presence of troops, who they viewed as enforcers of oppressive British policies, such as taxation without representation. On that fateful night, a confrontation escalated between a group of colonists and British soldiers, leading to the soldiers firing into the crowd. The incident resulted in the deaths of five colonists, fueling anti-British sentiments and contributing to the growing desire for independence among the American colonies.