Final answer:
The Dominion of New England was intended to achieve political consolidation by bringing multiple colonies under a single governance structure, consolidating power, and enforcing mercantilist policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intention behind the Dominion of New England created in 1686 was c) Political consolidation. This initiative was part of the British attempts to tighten administrative control and streamline the governance of its territories in North America. By creating the Dominion, King James II aimed to enforce royal authority and implement mercantilist economic policies more effectively, particularly focused on the Navigation Acts. The Dominion brought together multiple colonies under a single governor, eliminating individual colonial assemblies and undercutting local autonomy. It was not designed specifically for economic expansion, religious freedom, or cultural exchange. Additionally, it's important to note that one of the intents behind its creation was to punish the Massachusetts Bay Colony for its failure to convert local Indian tribes.