b) The American colonies

The Declaratory Act of 1766, passed by the British Parliament, asserted Britain’s full right to make laws governing the American colonies “in all cases whatsoever.” This act followed the repeal of the Stamp Act, an attempt by Britain to reaffirm its authority over the colonies. The Declaratory Act symbolized the escalating conflict between the desire for colonial autonomy and British imperial control. This legislation laid the groundwork for future legal and political disputes leading up to the American Revolution, as it directly challenged the colonists’ growing aspirations for self-governance and legislative independence.