These measures, also known as the Coercive Acts, were a series of laws enacted by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. They were designed to punish the Massachusetts colony and assert British authority. The legislation included the Boston Port Act, which closed Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for; the Massachusetts Government Act, which significantly curtailed self-government in the colony; the Administration of Justice Act, which allowed British officials to be tried in Britain; and the Quartering Act, which permitted British troops to be housed in private homes.
The enactment of these laws significantly heightened tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies. Colonists viewed these actions as a direct violation of their rights and liberties, leading to increased unity among the colonies and a growing sense of grievance against British rule. They fueled colonial resistance and played a crucial role in galvanizing support for the First Continental Congress, marking a pivotal step toward the American Revolution. Their implementation marked a turning point in the relationship between Britain and its colonies, directly contributing to the outbreak of armed conflict.
