Final answer:
King George III and the British Parliament responded to the Boston Tea Party with the Intolerable Acts, aiming to punish Massachusetts, close Boston's harbor, and force the colony under stricter British control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following the Boston Tea Party, King George III and the British Parliament reacted with severe punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts. These acts were designed to clamp down on Massachusetts and seize tighter control over the American colonies, thereby penalizing them for their rebellious act of destroying the tea. One of the Intolerable Acts, the Boston Port Bill, effectively closed Boston's harbor until the lost tea was paid for, seriously damaging the colony's economy. The Massachusetts Government Act was particularly harsh, revoking the colony's charter and modifying the government so that the British Crown had more control. These measures not only aimed at punishing Massachusetts but also served as a warning to the other colonies that insubordination would not be tolerated.