Final answer:
The British government immediately responded with military reprisals and the imposition of the Coercive Acts, aimed at punishing and regaining control over the American colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The immediate response of the British government to the events described was characterized by military reprisals and the imposition of what were known as the Coercive Acts. Following the Boston Tea Party and widespread discontent in the American colonies, the British sought to assert their authority and punish the colonists for their defiance. Particularly in Massachusetts, measures were enacted to restrict trade and force the colony into compliance, clearly demonstrating a punitive approach rather than one seeking conciliation, negotiation, or immediate political reform.