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Coercive Act Dbq

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The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were a series of British measures passed in 1774 designed to punish Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party. The Intolerable Acts were the cause for the American War for Independence because the colonists felt they were being controlled with the implement of vigorous policies in the American colonies. The Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, the Act for the Impartial Administration of Justice, the Quebec Act, and the Quartering Act were all passed as a retaliation to the Boston Tea Party and gave colonists the right to react. The Boston Port Act angered the colonists the most, the Act closed the Boston harbor to all shipping until the town had compensated the Dutch East India Company for the destruction of its tea and assured the King of it’s future loyalty. It prohibited ships from docking in Boston, those ships caught docking were confiscated along with all cargo. The Boston Port Act continued the movement of colonial unity in respect to their view of England, and colonial unification. One of the immediate consequences of closing the port were the economic damages placed on Massachusetts. The merchant class was affected by the elimination of any …show more content…

This Act deprived Massachusetts of its own charter and right to choose their own magistrates, providing for greater royal control. Prior to the Act, Massachusetts separated itself from the other colonies in the fact they had the ability to elect members of its executive council. This Act took that right away and alternatively gave the king the sole power to appoint officials. However, the Patriot leaders forcefully opposed it and forbid operation. This act of defiance towards the royal ruler was another step towards fighting the American War for Independence and breaking

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