Post Occupation Boston

Post-occupation Boston was different to today’s cities in a multitude of ways. Many differences were due to the time period but some were specific to Boston’s political and geographic landscapes. Like other recovering cities between 1775 and 1880 Boston had to deal with issues regarding; sanitation, congestion, and regulation. Over time many of these issues have been fixed as local and central government became more established. Established in 1630, Boston was one of the earlier settlements in Colonial North America. It was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Colony whose Puritan traditions influenced the local government. Annual town meetings were attended by a sizeable portion of inhabitants before and after the siege (Carr, page 88). These meetings helped Boston recover, grow, and adapt. Accessibility to the city was particularly difficult before bridges were built. The isthmus connecting the peninsula to the mainland was one “mile-long,

Selectmen were elected town officials that helped enforce regulations meant to improve the safety of the town. They also screened adults wanting to adopt any orphans to ensure the child’s future wellbeing (Carr, page 98). Constables were also elected during town meetings. However, many elected constables were working men and could not volunteer as much as the position required so they would decline the job. This was so common that “In March 1781, not one of the twelve constables elected to office accepted”. (Carr, page 90) Today law enforcement is not an elected, volunteer position so retention rates are much better. Early Boston faced many problems during its establishment that no longer exist today. These differences in accessibility, sanitation, congestion, and regulations were solved through the creation of laws and regulations that are enforced by stronger local and national