The 1766 Declaratory Act asserted Parliament’s unlimited authority over the colonies

Evidence

It did not help that process when Britain promulgated the Declaratory Act in 1766, which asserted that “Parliament assembled, had, hath, and by right ought to have, full power and authority to make all laws and statutes of sufficient force to bind the colonies and the people of America, subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, in all matters whatsoever.” — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 35

Categorization

• DEFINE: Gives the exact legal language of parliamentary supremacy that American constitutionalism rejected.
• XREF: Connects to the course theme of foundational legal principles — parliamentary sovereignty vs. colonial charters; echoes the later ‘in all cases whatsoever’ debates over sovereignty. — connects to: Even radical colonists initially sought loyalty to the Crown while breaking Parliament’s power. — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 61; New Hampshire wrote the first constitution assuming popular authority independent of king or Parliament

Broader Connections

• Even radical colonists initially sought loyalty to the Crown while breaking Parliament’s power. #expands (0.75) — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 61
• New Hampshire wrote the first constitution assuming popular authority independent of king or Parliament #complicates (0.75)