Final answer:
The British reacted to colonial protests by imposing measures such as the Coercive Acts, which included banning public gatherings. This escalated tensions leading to the American Revolution, and in a different context, the Amritsar Massacre intensified the struggle for Indian independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British responded to protests and opposition to their rule in various colonies, as well as in India, by imposing strict measures without warning. In the American colonies, they interpreted an act of protest — the Boston Tea Party — as rebellion and responded with what became known as the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts) in 1774. This included closing Boston Harbor, confiscating weapons and ammunition, and arresting leaders of the patriotic movement. In a different context, during increasing protests against British rule in India, the British army committed the Amritsar Massacre in 1919, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians and openly banning public gatherings, which intensified the movement for Indian independence.
In the particular context of the question, which relates to the response of the British to colonial protests, the correct answer is (B) Banned Public Gatherings. This response was part of a broader set of repressive measures included in the Coercive Acts to maintain British control and punish the colonies, particularly after the Boston Tea Party.