Continental Congress

History of the first 13 Colonies, Colonial Government and Congress

The Continental Congress was the first national government of the United States during the American Revolution

Continental Congress
The Continental Congress Definition: The Continental Congress was where elected representatives of colonists assembled in revolt against British rule. The Virginia House of Burgesses served as a model for the Continental Congress. Virginians Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and Peyton Randolph invited delegations from all of the other colonies to meet in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774 to debate the course of action in response to grievances of colonies against Great Britain. The grievances related to the laws passed by the British Parliament, the 'last straw' being their passing of the Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts) that had punished Boston for the Boston Tea Party. Achievements: The Continental Congress initiated Nonimportation Agreements in 1774 which led to the formation of the Continental Association, created a Continental Army, issued the Declaration of Independence and framed Articles of Confederation.

• Define Continental: The Continental Congress was a meeting, or convention, of delegates from all of the Thirteen Colonies belonging to the continent of North America - hence the term 'Continental'
• Define Assembly: The Continental Congress is also referred to as a legislative assembly in which elected political delegates assemble together.
• Define Legislative: The word legislative means having the power to make laws.

Continental Congress - Background
Prior to the Continental Congress some representatives met with delegates from different colonies, but not all 13 colonies were involved. These previous meetings were:

• The New England Confederation Established in 1643 and dissolved in 1684
• The Albany Congress Established in 1754 and disbanded in 1754
• The Stamp Act Congress, or First Congress of the American Colonies Established in October 7, 1765 and disbanded October 25, 1765

The Virginia House of Burgesses was dissolved by Lord Dunmore in 1774, which led to their leaders, including Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and Peyton Randolph calling for the first meeting of the Continental Congress aimed at the political unification all of the American colonies. During the Stamp Act Congress Christopher Gadsden said,

"There ought to be no New England men, no New Yorkers known on the Continent, but all of us Americans..."  

Continental Congress: 1774 - 1789
The Continental Congress met from 1774 to 1789 as the First Continental Congress, the Second Continental Congress and, following the implementation of the Articles of Confederation, a national government was created which was made up of a one-house legislature known as the Confederation Congress. The Congress of the Confederation met from 1781 to 1789. The adoption of the Constitution of the United States in 1788 led to the creation of the United States Congress.

• The delegates to the First Continental Congress had been chosen by the colonies in to set forth the views of the people, and remonstrate against the conduct of the King and Parliament
• Congress petitioned the King and fixed May 10, 1775, as the day on which a second Congress should meet to consider the results of their petition
• The British reaction to the petition in January 1775 was to send orders prohibiting another meeting of the Congress.
• In February 1775 the British Parliament declared that Massachusetts was in a state of rebellion
• Matters quickly escalated and on April 18, 1775 the American War of Independence began
• The Colonies asked Congress to adopt the army gathered around Boston, and direct the war
• Congress, unexpectedly, became a governing body, and began to act as advisor to each of the colonies - for additional information refer to Colonies to States

Prayer at the Continental Congress

• First Continental Congress: Established September 5, 1774 and disbanded May 10, 1775
• Second Continental Congress: Established May 10, 1775 and disbanded March 6, 1781
• Congress of the Confederation: Established March 1, 1781 and disbanded March 4, 1789
• United States Congress

Continental Congress Timeline
The Continental Congress Timeline details dates of meetings and important events in the history of the Continental Congress

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