Intolerable Acts, the

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Intolerable Acts, the derogatory term for four measures enacted by the British Parliament in 1774 against the American colonies, by which the harbour of Boston was closed until restitution was made for the tea destroyed at the Boston Tea Party, the charter of the Massachusetts colony was abrogated, British officials charged with capital offences as a result of carrying out law enforcement could elect to go to England or another colony for trial, and new arrangements for billeting British troops on American households were made.