What were the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts?

The Coercive Acts, known as the Intolerable Acts in the
colonies, were a series of enactments by Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party.
They were designed to punish and also bring to heel the people of Boston. Among the
acts:

• The Boston Port
  Act: closed the Port of Boston as of July 1, 1774 until the tea destroyed
  in the raid was paid for.


• Act for Imperial
  Administration of Justice: provided that the Royal Governor could
  transfer the trial of any British official or soldier to England for disposal. It was
  believed that colonial juries might easily convict such persons on a
  technicality.


• Second Quartering
  Act: Provided that if no suitable quartering could be provided, British
  soldiers should be housed in private
  homes.

Massachusetts Government
Act: Provided that all colonial offices in the colony would no longer be
elective; but rather appointed by the Royal Governor. It also provided that juries would
be chosen by the Sheriff, and that town meetings could be held only with the consent of
the Royal Governor.  Shortly after the Act was passed, General Thomas Gage was appointed
governor, which in essence placed Massachusetts under military rule.