The Boston Press on the Road to Revolution

Indianapolis, IN

Following the French and Indian War, the colonial press was largely united in their beliefs and messages. However, by the eve of the Revolution, they were deeply divided. By examining the Boston press’s responses to items such as the Stamp Act, Townsend Acts, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Intolerable Acts, their progression and eventual division becomes evident. The content of the Boston Gazette, Boston News-Letter, Boston Post-Boy, and Boston Evening-Post between the years 1765 and 1775 illustrated how each publication’s beliefs and positions shifted throughout these years. Ultimately, the Boston Gazette unashamedly supported the patriot cause and attacked the British policies and officials throughout this decade. The Boston News-Letter and Boston Post-Boy campaigned against the Stamp Act and to some extent the Townsend Acts, but when the began being published by the Commissioners in Boston, they started attempting to offer a loyalist perspective on the news. The Boston Evening-Post was one of the few publications that succeeded in remaining neutral throughout this time, publishing articles for both sides even as he divisions deepened. In the end, the loyalist press was far too timid, and their tendency to combat the patriot cause through criticism proved an ineffective tactic. Had they hoped to garner larger support, they would have needed to offer an alternative message instead of only attacking the message the patriots were promoting. In part because of the patriot press’s campaign, many colonists elected to fight for their rights when America declared independence from Britain.