In the late 1700s, tensions were rising between the British Parliament and the American colonies, ultimately leading to the American Revolutionary War. The Intolerable Acts, also known as the Coercive Acts, were a series of measures passed by the British Parliament in 1774 as a response to the Boston Tea Party and other acts of resistance in the colonies. Here's an overview of the reasons why the Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts:
1. The Boston Tea Party:
The passage of the Intolerable Acts was a direct consequence of the Boston Tea Party, which took place in December 1773. In protest of the British Tea Act, a group of colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded British ships in Boston harbor, throwing their cargo of tea into the water. This event infuriated the British government and prompted them to take punitive actions against the colonies.
2. Maintaining Control:
The Intolerable Acts were an attempt by the British government to reestablish control over the American colonies and reaffirm their authority. The Parliament aimed to punish the colonists for their defiance, particularly the residents of Boston, and deter any further resistance to British rule.
3. Coercion and Coercive Measures:
The name "Intolerable" or "Coercive" Acts reflects their central objective: to use harsh and coercive measures to force the colonies into submission and prevent them from challenging British policies and authority. The British government sought to use a combination of economic sanctions and punitive measures to bring the colonists to heel and quell any sentiments of independence.
4. Assertion of British Sovereignty:
The British Parliament wanted to assert its sovereignty over the American colonies and demonstrate its power and resolve to maintain control. By passing the Intolerable Acts, they sought to discourage any thoughts of the colonies seeking independence or attempting to undermine British rule and trade regulations.
5. Example for Other Colonies:
The British government intended the Intolerable Acts to serve as an example to the other American colonies, showing that any acts of resistance or defiance against British laws and authority would have serious consequences. The punishment of Boston was meant to deter other colonies from similar actions and encourage compliance with British policies.
Ultimately, the Intolerable Acts amplified tensions between the British government and the American colonies, deepening the grievances of the colonists and contributing to the growing sentiment for independence that would eventually lead to the American Revolutionary War.