Final answer:
The correct answer is option c) They severely restricted trade and caused economic hardship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, had a significant and detrimental impact on trade in Boston. One of the key components of these acts, the Boston Port Act, effectively closed the port of Boston until restitution was made for the tea lost during the Boston Tea Party.
This closure severely restricted trade and led to considerable economic hardship for the people of Massachusetts. The acts not only punished Massachusetts but also galvanized colonial opposition, leading to the formation of the First Continental Congress that aimed to form a united stance against the British policies.