Read the following excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, and read the question that follows. "He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: The Coercive Acts are the acts that are being referred to in this passage." According to the passage, why was the act passed? A. To pay for the army
B. As punishment for The Boston Tea Party
C. To protect Britain from the colonies
D. To protect the colonies