How did the Intolerable Acts—meant to punish Massachusetts for defying Great Britain—show that the British government did not respect the rights of the colonists to rule themselves? (1 point) Responses They began forcing American colonists to drink tea instead of coffee. They began forcing American colonists to drink tea instead of coffee. They prevented American colonists from publishing newspapers or printing money. They prevented American colonists from publishing newspapers or printing money. They replaced a civilian government with a military dictatorship. They replaced a civilian government with a military dictatorship. They forced all colonists to attend town meetings.

1 answer

The Intolerable Acts, enacted in 1774, demonstrated the British government's disregard for the rights of the colonists to self-governance primarily through the replacement of local governance. Specifically, one of the key components of the Intolerable Acts was the Massachusetts Government Act, which effectively replaced the elected government in Massachusetts with a military governor and limited town meetings. This action showcased Britain's unwillingness to respect the colonists' right to self-rule and to manage their own local affairs. Thus, the statement that best reflects this aspect is: "They replaced a civilian government with a military dictatorship."