Final answer:
The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were punitive measures imposed by the British Parliament to assert control over the American colonies and suppress resistance. They included taxing imported goods, cracking down on colonial trade, and taxing printed materials through the Stamp Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were a series of punitive measures imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies in response to the Boston Tea Party in 1774. These acts aimed to assert British control and suppress the growing resistance in the colonies.
- Taxing imported goods: One of the Coercive Acts was the Quartering Act, which required colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers. This act indirectly taxed the colonial population to subsidize military expenses.
- Cracking down on colonial trade: Another Coercive Act was the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the tea destroyed during the Boston Tea Party. This act severely impacted the local economy and limited colonial trade.
- Taxing printed materials: While not directly related to the Coercive Acts, the Stamp Act of 1765 imposed taxes on a wide range of printed materials in the colonies, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. This tax, repealed in 1766 after colonial protests, was one of the grievances that led to the American Revolution.
Learn more about The Coercive Acts and their impact on the American colonies