The Intolerable Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. These laws aimed to punish the American colonies, particularly Massachusetts, by closing Boston Harbor and revoking the colony's charter, which limited self-governance. The Intolerable Acts united the colonies against British rule, leading to the formation of the First Continental Congress. This gathering of representatives from various colonies sought to address grievances and coordinate a response to British actions, ultimately contributing to the growing desire for independence from British control.