The government responded when colonists organized organised protest against its new policies by shutting down colonial governments.
B: it shut down colonial governments
Step-by-step explanation:
The British government tried different strategies to establish control over the British colonies in America. Stamp Act of 1765 had to face strong opposition from the colonies. Townshend Act that came afterwards imposed duties on items like glass, paper, paint etc that the colonies imported.
Finding this unfair the colonists protested by boycotting import of British goods. To suppress the protest British government deployed troops at Boston. Several violent events followed and the government had to repeal the Townshend Act but the tax on tea was retained.
Events like Boston tea party followed to repeal the tea tax. In 1774 the Coercive Acts were passed. The act replaced the elected local governments with appointed governments.