Why do you think the Coercive Acts did not work in bringing the colonies under control?

Answer 1

The Coercive Acts were called the Intolerable Acts in America.

There was a need to pay off the debts incurred from the 7 years war (French and Indian war in America).

The problem arose when the type of taxes, their administration, and enforcement came from London.

The first of the acts had direct taxes at a low rate.

Collection was sold to the highest bidder who added his commission at several times the official rate.

Evidence was gathered in a search without a warrant.

Tax evasion was tried in an Admiralty court without the defendant made aware of the charges, without a lawyer, without the opportunity to examine witnesses, and without knowledge of the verdict.

Such actions made the colonists mad and led to militia actions against the tax collectors.

William Pitt and Edmund Burke warned Parliament against continuing such policies. The majority did not listen.

King George III and Parliament thought that the Americans would buckle under if they acted a little tougher. They also thought that the Americans would never cooperate. As a result, they made each effort a little stronger. The Americans cooperated a little more.

Finally the Americans created The Continental Congress to present a united front. King George ordered it to disband. Instead it created an army.