Federalism

            Before the outbreak of the American Revolution, the colonists employed several different tactics in an effort to persuade the British government to alter its colonial policies. An example of these tactics was the organization of boycotts. One boycott took place as a result of the Stamp Act. This was a direct tax on the American colonies, rather than being included in the price of the goods. The colonists had to pay this tax directly to the government on all legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, playing cards and dice. This act required that a stamp must be bought and placed on these products showing that the tax was paid. In an attempt to repeal this act, the colonists boycotted the purchase of this stamp. By doing this, the colonists were able to influence the British government to repeal the Stamp Act. The colonists realized that through boycotting British goods, the colonists found a tactic to get the British to repeal the laws that the colonies don't approve of. Unfortunately, with the revoking of the Stamp Act, the British government had passed the Declaratory Act. This law stated that the British government was able to pass any law they wanted without the approved of the colonies. This event would prove that if the colonists want to gain control of their land, boycotting might not be the perfect answer.