Contests of Authority: Policing, Jurisdiction, and Violence in Occupied Boston, 1768–1770

Key Points

• The occupation of Boston led to significant changes in the policing landscape, disrupting established authority and order.
• During the occupation, the night watch adapted their functions as they faced new challenges from the military presence.
• The article illustrates how familiar urban spaces in Boston were remade under the pressures of outside jurisdiction during this period.
• These transformations reflect broader themes of authority and governance during times of violence and conflict.