This act was passed to assert the authority of the British government to tax its subjects in North America after it repealed the much-hated Stamp Act. British King George III approved the repeal of the Stamp Act and passed the Declaratory Act on March 18, 1766.On March 18, 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act and passed the Declaratory Act. Under pressure from London merchants, Parliament abolished the Stamp Act in 1766. The Boston Port Act was the first of the Coercive Acts. Parliament passed the bill on March 31, 1774, and King George III gave it royal assent on May 20th. American colonists responded to the Sugar Act and the Currency Act with protest. In an action seeking declaratory relief, the court determines the rights of each party in a dispute. Parliament had directly taxed the colonies for revenue in the Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act (1765). The Declaratory Act (1766) to the Coercive Acts (1774).