What action did British Prime Minister Charles Townshend take in response to colonial resistance to tax acts?

The correct answer is that British Prime Minister Charles Townshend responded to colonial resistance to tax acts by sending British troops to Boston. This action was part of a broader strategy to enforce British authority and suppress dissent in the colonies after the widespread opposition to earlier tax measures, such as the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act.

Townshend believed that the presence of British troops would help maintain order and support the enforcement of new taxes, which included duties on items like tea, glass, and paper. Tensions escalated in Boston due in part to the growing resentment towards these troops, culminating in events such as the Boston Massacre. The decision to send troops highlighted the British government's commitment to maintaining control over the colonies despite significant pushback from colonists who felt they were being unfairly taxed without representation.

The other actions mentioned, such as pardoning the colonists, lifting all tax acts, or negotiating with colonial leaders, would have been more conciliatory and are inconsistent with the British government's approach at that time. Instead of addressing the grievances of the colonists, Townshend's actions exemplified the hardline stance that ultimately contributed to increasing conflict leading up to the American Revolution.