Significance of the Coercive Acts

During the late 18th century, as tensions brewed between the American colonies and the British government, various events and legislations contributed to a growing sentiment for independence. One notable incident was the Boston Tea Party in 1773, which was a direct protest against the Tea Act. This act, designed to aid the struggling British East India Company, granted it a monopoly over the tea trade in America, leading to anger among colonists who saw it as yet another example of taxation without representation. The reaction from the British government was swift and harsh, leading to a series of punitive measures known as the Coercive Acts. Which of the following statements best describes the significance of the Coercive Acts in the context of the American push towards independence?