Final Answer:
After King George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition, Parliament passed the Prohibitory Act, which declared the American colonies to be in open rebellion and cut off all trade and commerce with them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Prohibitory Act, enacted by the British Parliament in 1775, was a pivotal response to the deteriorating relationship between Great Britain and its American colonies. Following the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition, a last-ditch effort by the Continental Congress to achieve reconciliation, the Prohibitory Act marked a significant escalation in hostilities. This legislation, among other punitive measures, declared the American colonies to be in a state of rebellion against British rule.
The Prohibitory Act had severe economic consequences for the colonies, as it imposed a complete blockade on trade and commerce. The British government aimed to cripple the colonial economy and force submission through economic pressure. This drastic move further fueled the flames of the American Revolutionary War, pushing the colonists closer to seeking full independence.
The passage of the Prohibitory Act exemplifies the deepening divide between the colonies and the British Crown, setting the stage for a full-fledged armed conflict. The economic restrictions imposed by the act played a role in galvanizing support for the revolutionary cause and solidifying the resolve of the American colonists to pursue independence from British rule.