Here are some of the reasons why the Boston Massacre was a riot:
* There were no clear aggressors. The British soldiers were not acting on orders, and the colonists were not acting as a unified group. Instead, the violence was spontaneous and chaotic.
* There was no clear goal. The colonists did not have a specific objective in mind, and the British soldiers were simply trying to maintain order.
* The violence was not one-sided. Both the British soldiers and the colonists were responsible for the deaths of innocent people.
In contrast to the Boston Massacre, riots are defined by the following:
* A large and angry crowd.
* Violence or destruction of property.
* A lack of clear leadership or organization.
* A spontaneous and unpredictable nature.
The Boston Massacre meets all of these criteria, and therefore can be classified as a riot.