N retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, the British passed laws to punish Massachusetts. Specifically, the British closed Boston Harbor to trade until restitution was provided on the tea. What effect did these measures have on colonists? They temporarily quelled colonists’ protests due to fear of further punishment. They angered colonists even more, prompting the Boston Massacre. They united the colonies in their fight against the British. They prompted the formation of the Continental army to defend colonial interests.