Question

even though most of these acts were meant to punish boston, colonists outside of massachusetts worried that if the british parliament could close down one colonys port and restrict its local governments, parliament could potentially do the same to the other 12 colonies, too. “parliaments coercive acts led all of the colonies, except for georgia, to unite behind massachusetts and boycott trade,” says woody holton, a history professor at the university of south carolina... 1. what was the original purpose of these acts?

Explanation:

The text clearly states "even though most of these acts were meant to punish Boston". The British Parliament's Coercive Acts were initially aimed at punishing Boston for its resistance - like the Boston Tea Party.

Answer:

To punish Boston.