What was a major consequence of the Townshend Act passed in 1767?

One significant consequence of the Townshend Act of 1767 was that it prompted colonists to begin creating their own goods to avoid taxation imposed by Britain. The Townshend Acts established duties on a variety of imported goods, including tea, paper, paint, glass, and lead. Rather than pay these taxes, many colonists turned to local production to fulfill their needs. This movement toward self-sufficiency was a form of protest against British authority and economic control, leading to the establishment of homespun goods as symbols of colonial resistance.

This phenomenon also laid the groundwork for the burgeoning spirit of independence, as it fostered a sense of unity among the colonies in opposition to British policy. The other choices relate to various responses to British governance but do not directly reflect the immediate economic impact of the Townshend Acts as effectively as the creation of local goods, which was a direct response to avoid the taxes imposed.