What did the Coercive Acts of 1774 aim to do?

The Coercive Acts of 1774, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were specifically designed to punish the Massachusetts colony for its role in the Boston Tea Party, where colonists protested against British taxation by destroying a shipment of tea. This series of punitive measures included the Boston Port Act, which closed the harbor until the destroyed tea was paid for, and the Massachusetts Government Act, which significantly curtailed self-governance in the colony. The intent behind these acts was to assert British authority and discourage further acts of rebellion among the colonies. The British government aimed to demonstrate its resolve and deter any other acts of defiance against its rule. This historical context illustrates the relationship between the Boston Tea Party and the subsequent Coercive Acts, emphasizing their purpose as a form of punishment rather than any intention to foster peace or extend rights.