What Act, passed by Parliament in 1766 after the repeal of the Stamp Act, asserted Parliament's right to legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever?

What Act, passed by Parliament in 1766 after the repeal of the Stamp Act, asserted Parliament's right to legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever?

• A. Stamp Act
• B. Sugar Act
• C. Declaratory Act
• D. Tea Act

Answer: (C)

The question hinges on understanding parliamentary sovereignty and how Britain projected its authority over the colonies. After the Stamp Act sparked wide opposition, Parliament repealed it but also passed the Declaratory Act, which states that Parliament has the right to legislate for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever.” This bold wording asserts that British authority over colonial affairs is absolute, not dependent on colonial consent or on any particular tax measure. It signals that Parliament retained ultimate power to govern the colonies, setting the stage for later measures and heightened colonial resistance. The other acts mentioned involved specific taxes or trade rules, but none claim such broad, unconditional authority in this way.

The question hinges on understanding parliamentary sovereignty and how Britain projected its authority over the colonies. After the Stamp Act sparked wide opposition, Parliament repealed it but also passed the Declaratory Act, which states that Parliament has the right to legislate for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever.” This bold wording asserts that British authority over colonial affairs is absolute, not dependent on colonial consent or on any particular tax measure. It signals that Parliament retained ultimate power to govern the colonies, setting the stage for later measures and heightened colonial resistance. The other acts mentioned involved specific taxes or trade rules, but none claim such broad, unconditional authority in this way.