![]() Sometimes the military courts follow established military court procedures, while at other times arbitrary tribunals may be set up without a rigid set of guidelines. In imposing martial law, it is not uncommon for military courts to replace civilian courts in dealing with criminals, especially political “criminals” and violators of martial law rules. People can often be held without being formally charged with a crime during martial law (suspension of habeas corpus) and harsh penalties may be imposed for “offenses” against rules laid out by the military. In a nutshell, martial law is a situation where the military takes over all or most government functions away from civilian authorities, often in an occupied foreign territory, especially policing functions and the setting of curfews and other social controls, such as limiting the right to assemble, protest, or demonstrate. The declaration of martial law is a highly emotionally and politically charged event, sure to generate satisfaction on one side and intense distrust, resentment and anger on the other side. Fearing an outright rebellion in the American colonies, General Gage took control of Massachusetts away from the colonial government and the British Army was now in charge, or so they thought! Digging Deeper The American Revolution had already had a de facto beginning by this point, with the Boston Massacre (1770), the burning of the Gaspee in Rhode Island (a British customs schooner, 1772), the Boston Tea Party (1773), and the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. ![]() ![]() Gage offered amnesty and a pardon to all rebels that would lay down their arms, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were deemed traitors that would be hanged if captured. On June 12, 1775, British General Thomas Gage declared martial law in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
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