The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of twelve North American colonies of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1774. It met briefly then set up its successor, the Second Continental Congress, which organized the Americans into war against Britain. The two bodies together comprise the Continental Congress. The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with 55 members representing all American colonies except Georgia. North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... In 1775, the British claimed authority over the red and pink areas on this map and Spain ruled the orange. ... For an explanation of terms such as Scotland, Wales, England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom, see British Isles (terminology). ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence depicts the five-man drafting committee presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress. ... The Continental Congress was the first national government of the United States. ...

Background

Like the Stamp Act Congress, which was formed by colonials to respond to the unpopular Stamp Act, the First Continental Congress was formed largely in response to the Intolerable Acts. The Congress was planned through the permanent committees of correspondence. They chose the meeting place to be Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Carpenters' Hall, which was both centrally located and one of the leading cities in the colonies. The Congress was held in 1774. The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting in New York City in October 1765 of delegates from the American Colonies that discussed and acted upon the recently passed Stamp Act. ... The Stamp Act of 1765 (short title Duties in American Colonies Act 1765; 5 George III, c. ... This British cartoon, depicting the Intolerable Acts as an assault upon a Native American woman (a symbol of the American colonies), was copied and distributed by Paul Revere throughout the colonies. ... For other uses, see Committee of correspondence (disambiguation). ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Convention

Carpenters' Hall

The Congress met from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774. From September 5 through October 21, Peyton Randolph presided over the proceedings; Henry Middleton took over as President of the Congress for the last few days, from October 22 to October 26. Charles Thomson, leader of Philadelphia Sons of Liberty, was selected to be Secretary of the Continental Congress.^[1] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 433 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (740 × 1024 pixel, file size: 113 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) en: Historic American Building Survey Carpenters Hall Library of Congress File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 433 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (740 × 1024 pixel, file size: 113 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) en: Historic American Building Survey Carpenters Hall Library of Congress File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Chesma Column in Tsarskoe Selo, commemorating the end of the Russo-Turkish War. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Chesma Column in Tsarskoe Selo, commemorating the end of the Russo-Turkish War. ... Peyton Randolph (September, 1721 – October 21, 1775) was the first President of the Continental Congress. ... Henry Middleton (1717 – June 13, 1784) of South Carolina was the second President of the Continental Congress, and thus the leader of what was to become the United States, from October 22, 1774 until Peyton Randolph was able to resume his duties briefly beginning on May 10, 1775. ... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Charles Thomson (November 29, 1729 - August 16, 1824) served as the secretary of the Continental Congress through its entirety (1774-1789). ... The Sons of Liberty as depicted in British press The Sons of Liberty was a secret organization of American Patriots which originated in the Thirteen Colonies before the American Revolution. ...

Galloway's Plan of Union

Patrick Henry already considered government dissolved, and was seeking a new system.^[2] Pennsylvania delegate Joseph Galloway sought reconciliation with Britain. He put forth a "Plan of Union", which suggested an American legislative body be formed, with some authority, and whose consent would be required for imperial measures.^[2] John Jay, Edward Rutledge and other conservatives supported Galloway's plan.^[3] Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his stirring oratory. ... Joseph Galloway (1731–August 29, 1803) was an American Continental Congress Delegate from Pennsylvania; born at West River, Maryland; moved with his father to Pennsylvania in 1740; received a liberal schooling; studied law; was admitted to the bar and began practice in Philadelphia; member of the Pennsylvania House of... Galloways Plan of Union was put forward in the First Continental Congress of 1774. ... John Jay (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, and jurist. ... Edward Rutledge Edward Rutledge (November 23, 1749–January 23, 1800), South Carolina statesman, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of South Carolina. ...

Accomplishments

The Congress had two primary accomplishments. First, the Congress drafted the Articles of Association on October 20, 1774. The Articles formed a compact among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774.^[4] Imports from Britain dropped by 97 percent in 1775, compared with the previous year.^[4] The Articles of Association was a petition of grievances against Great Britain by the American colonies, and a compact among them to collectively impose economic sanctions to pressure a resolution. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Chesma Column in Tsarskoe Selo, commemorating the end of the Russo-Turkish War. ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Chesma Column in Tsarskoe Selo, commemorating the end of the Russo-Turkish War. ...

If the “Intolerable Acts” were not repealed, the colonies would also cease exports to Britain after September 10, 1775.^[4] The boycott was successfully implemented, but its potential for altering British colonial policy was cut off by the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1775 (MDCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about military actions only. ...

The second accomplishment of the Congress was to provide for a Second Continental Congress to meet on May 10, 1775. In addition to the colonies which had sent delegates to the First Continental Congress, letters of invitation were sent to Quebec, Saint John's Island, Nova Scotia, Georgia, East Florida, and West Florida. None of these sent delegates to the opening of the second Congress, though a delegation from Georgia arrived the following July.^[5] John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence depicts the five-man drafting committee presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1775 (MDCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit(Latin) One defends and the other conquers Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English, Canadian Gaelic Government - Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis - Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 11 - Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867... Map of East and West Florida in 1810. ... This article is about the region. ...

Colonies and delegates

A map of the Province of New Hampshire. ... Nathaniel Folsom (1726–1790) was a merchant and statesman from Exeter, New Hampshire. ... General John Sullivan John Sullivan (b. ... A map of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. ... For other persons named John Adams, see John Adams (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Samuel Adams (disambiguation). ... Thomas Cushing (March 24, 1725 – February 28, 1788) was an American lawyer and statesman from Boston, Massachusetts. ... Robert Treat Paine; Signer of the Declaration of Independence Robert Treat Paine Robert Treat Paine(March 11, 1731–May 11, 1814) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence as a representative of Massachusetts. ... Providence Plantation was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Baptist minister fleeing from religious persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. ... Stephen Hopkins Stephen Hopkins (March 7, 1707–July 13, 1785) was an American political leader from Rhode Island who signed the Declaration of Independence. ... Samuel Ward (May 25, 1725 – March 26, 1776) was an American farmer, shop keeper, and statesman from Westerly, Rhode Island. ... A map of the Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook colonies. ... Silas Deane (December 24, 1737 - September 23, 1789), was a delegate to the American Continental Congress and later a diplomat. ... Eliphalet Dyer (September 14, 1721 – May 13, 1807) was a lawyer, jurist, and statesman from Windham, Connecticut. ... Shermans marble statute in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol. ... A map of the Province of New York. ... For other uses, see Albany. ... Location in the state of New York Formed November 1, 1683 Seat Albany Area  - Total  - Water 1,381 km² (533 mi²) 25 km² (10 mi²) 1. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... For other uses, see Manhattan (disambiguation). ... Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. ... Westchester County is a suburban county with about 940,000 residents located in the U.S. state of New York. ... John Alsop (1724 – November 22, 1794) HAS A ENORMOUS CHODE!!! and he loves it SOOO MUCH!!! was an American merchant and politician from New York City during the American Revolution. ... James Duane (February 6, 1733–February 1, 1797) was a lawyer, jurist, and revolutionary leader from New York. ... John Jay (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, and jurist. ... Philip Livingston Philip Livingston (January 15, 1716 – June 12, 1778), was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. ... Isaac Low ( April 13, 1735 – July 25, 1791) was an American merchant in New York City. ... For other meanings, see Brooklyn (disambiguation). ... Simon Boerum (1724 – July 11, 1775) was a farmer, miller, and political leader from Brooklyn, New York. ... The Orange County Government Center in Goshen, N.Y., designed by Paul Rudolph. ... John Haring (September 28, 1739–April 1, 1809) was an American lawyer from New York City. ... Henry Wisner (c. ... Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. ... William Floyd in a 1792 portrait This article is about the signer of the Decleration of Independence. ... The Province of New Jersey was an English colony that existed within the boundaries of the current U.S. state of New Jersey prior to the American Revolution. ... For other notable men with this name see: Stephen Crane (disambiguation). ... John De Hart (1728-1795) was an American lawyer, jurist, and statesman from Elizabeth, New Jersey. ... James Kinsey (March 22, 1731–January 4, 1803) was an American lawyer from Burlington, New Jersey. ... William Livingston William Livingston (November 30, 1723 – July 25, 1790) served as the Governor of New Jersey (1776–1790) during the American Revolution and was a signer of the United States Constitution. ... Richard Smith (1735 - 1803) was a lawyer and politician who served in the Continental Congress. ... A map of the Province of Pennsylvania. ... Edward Biddle (1738-1779) was an American soldier, lawyer, and statesman from Pennsylvania. ... John Dickinson (November 8, 1732 – February 14, 1808) was an American lawyer and politician from Jones Neck in St. ... Joseph Galloway (1731–August 29, 1803) was an American Continental Congress Delegate from Pennsylvania; born at West River, Maryland; moved with his father to Pennsylvania in 1740; received a liberal schooling; studied law; was admitted to the bar and began practice in Philadelphia; member of the Pennsylvania House of... Charles Humphreys (September 19, 1714 – March 11, 1786) was an American miller and statesman from Haverford, Pennsylvania. ... Thomas Mifflin , John Singleton Copley, 1773. ... John Morton (1724-1777) from Ridley Township, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was the delegate who cast the deciding vote in favor of the United States Declaration of Independence. ... Samuel Rhoads (1711 - 1784) was a leading citizen of 18th century Philadelphia. ... George Ross (May 10, 1730–July 14, 1779), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania. ... Delaware Colony was an English colony in North America. ... Thomas McKean Thomas McKean (March 19, 1734–June 24, 1817) was the second President of the United States in Congress assembled, from July 10, 1781, until November 4, 1781. ... George Read (September 18, 1733 – September 21, 1798) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. ... Caesar Rodney (October 7, 1728 – June 26, 1784), was an American lawyer and politician from St. ... A map of the Province of Maryland. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Robert Goldsborough (December 3, 1733–December 22, 1788) was an American lawyer and statesman from Maryland. ... Thomas Johnson Thomas Johnson (1732-1819) was an American jurist with a distinguished political career. ... William Paca portrait by Charles Willson Peale. ... Matthew Tilghman (February 17, 1718 – May 4, 1790) was an American planter and Revolutionary leader from Maryland, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776. ... A map of the Colony of Virginia. ... Richard Bland (1710-1776) was an American planter and statesman from Virginia. ... Benjamin Harrison V Benjamin Harrison (V) (April 5, 1726 – April 24, 1791) was an American planter and revolutionary leader from Charles City County, Virginia. ... Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his stirring oratory. ... Richard Henry Lee (January 20, 1732–June 19, 1794) was an American who served as the sixth President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from November 30, 1784 to November 22, 1785. ... Edmund Pendleton (September 9, 1721-October 23, 1803) was a Virginia politician, lawyer and judge, active in the American Revolutionary War. ... Peyton Randolph (September, 1721 – October 21, 1775) was the first President of the Continental Congress. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ... A map of the Province of Carolina. ... Categories: Historical stubs | 1729 births | 1789 deaths | Continental Congressmen | Governors of North Carolina ... Joseph Hewes was a native of Connecticut, where he was born in 1730. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... A map of the Province of Carolina. ... Christopher Gadsden (1724-1805) was an American general and statesman during the American Revolution. ... Thomas Lynch, Jr. ... Henry Middleton (1717 – June 13, 1784) of South Carolina was the second President of the Continental Congress, and thus the leader of what was to become the United States, from October 22, 1774 until Peyton Randolph was able to resume his duties briefly beginning on May 10, 1775. ... Edward Rutledge Edward Rutledge (November 23, 1749–January 23, 1800), South Carolina statesman, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of South Carolina. ... This article is about the Governor and Chief Justice of the United States. ...

See also

• Articles of Confederation
• Galloway's Plan of Union
• History of the United States (1776-1789)
• List of Continental Congress Delegates
• President of the Continental Congress
• Continental Association
• Papers of the Continental Congress
• Timeline of United States revolutionary history (1760-1789)

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document, or constitution, of the United States of America. ... Galloways Plan of Union was put forward in the First Continental Congress of 1774. ... // Era overview In the year AD 1776, war was beginning. ... The men in this list actually met in the Continental Congress. ... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. ... The Continental Association, also known as the Articles of Association, which was passed by the First Continental Congress, was an agreement between twelve of the thirteen colonies to enforce nonimportation. ... The Papers of the Continental Congress are official records from the first three representative bodies of the original United Colonies and ultimately the United States of America. ... The Boston Massacre, an engraving by patriot Paul Revere. ...

Notes

Bibliography

• Bancroft, George. History of the United States of America, from the discovery of the American continent. (1854-78), vol 4-10 online edition
• Burnett, Edmund C. [1941] (1975). The Continental Congress. Greenwood Publishing. ISBN 0-8371-8386-3. 
• Henderson, H. James [1974] (2002). Party Politics in the Continental Congress. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0-8191-6525-5. 
• Miller, John C. Origins of the American Revolution (1943) online edition
• Montross, Lynn [1950] (1970). The Reluctant Rebels; the Story of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-389-03973-X. 

Primary sources

• Peter Force, ed. American Archives, 9 vol 1837-1853, major compilation of documents 1774-1776. online edition

External links

• The Continental Congress - History, Declaration and Resolves, Resolutions and Recommendations
• Full text of Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
• Papers of the Continental Congress (Digitized Original Documents)

v • d • e Pennsylvania during the American Revolutionary War

1774  First Continental Congress · Articles of Association   1775  Independence Hall · Second Continental Congress    1776   United States Declaration of Independence · Pennsylvania Constitution · Washington's crossing of the Delaware    1777  Articles of Confederation · Philadelphia campaign · Battle of Brandywine · Battle of the Clouds · Liberty Bell moved to Allentown · Battle of Paoli · Battle of Germantown · Siege of Fort Mifflin · Battle of White Marsh · Battle of Matson's Ford · Valley Forge    1778  Battle of Crooked Billet · Battle of Barren Hill · British occupation of Philadelphia ends · Wyoming Valley battle and massacre    1781  Congress of the Confederation