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The Constitution and the Founding of America
The First American Government
Political Science Textbooks Boundless Political Science The Constitution and the Founding of America The First American Government
Political Science Textbooks Boundless Political Science The Constitution and the Founding of America
Political Science Textbooks Boundless Political Science
Political Science Textbooks
Political Science
Concept Version 5
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The First Continental Congress

The first Continental Congress was held between 1774 and 1775 to discuss the future of the American colonies.

Learning Objective

  • Identify the historical role played by the Correspondence Committees during the American Revolutionary War


Key Points

    • The first Continental Congress was brought together by the Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies. It was inspired by the popular Committees of Correspondence movement.
    • The Congress' first goal was neither war nor independence. It convened to to restore the union between Great Britain and the American colonies.
    • In 1794, the first Congress issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

Term

  • correspondence committee

    The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of the American Revolution.


Full Text

The first Continental Congress was influenced by Correspondence Committees. These served an important role in the Revolution by disseminating the colonial interpretation of British actions to the colonies and foreign governments. The Committees of Correspondence rallied opposition on common causes and established plans for collective action. The group of committees was the beginning of what later became a formal political union among the colonies. About seven to eight thousand patriots served on these committees at the colonial and local levels. These patriots comprised most of the leadership in colonial communities while the loyalists were excluded. Committee members became the leaders of the American resistance to the British. When Congress decided to boycott British products, the colonial and local Committees took charge by examining merchant records and publishing the names of merchants who attempted to defy the boycott. The Committees promoted patriotism and home manufacturing by advising Americans to avoid luxuries. The committees gradually extended their influence to many aspects of American public life.

In June 1774, the Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies independently proposed an intercolonial meeting of delegates from the several colonies to restore the union between Great Britain and the American colonies. In September, the first Continental Congress, composed of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies—all except Georgia—met in Philadelphia The assembly adopted what has become to be known as the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress. The document, addressed to his Majesty and to the people of Great Britain, included a statement of rights and principles, many of which were later incorporated into the Declaration of Independence and Federal Constitution. When the first Congress adjourned, it stipulated another Congress would meet if King George III did not acquiesce to the demands set forth in the Declaration of Resolves.

Carpenter's Hall

The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

By the time the second Congress met, the Revolutionary War had already begun, and the issue of independence, rather than a redress of grievances, dominated the debates.

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