First Continental Congress 1774 First Continental Congress 56

First Continental Congress 1774

First Continental Congress Ø 56 colonial delegates • Samuel Adams: organized Boston Tea Party • John Adams: defended the soldiers in Boston Massacre Ø Respond to the crisis in Boston

The Motivation The British retaliated to the uprising in Boston (Tea Party) with the passing of four acts known as the Intolerable Acts. – Boston Port Act – Massachusetts Administration Act – Quartering Act – Administration of Justice Act Much like the Stamp Act Congress had forced the repeal of the Stamp Act, the colonists intended for the Continental Congress to force the repeal of the Intolerable Acts.

What the colonies wanted! (a compromise) Ø Remove British Acts Ø Allow for a Colonial army (militia). Ø 10 resolutions to the king. • Including the right to “life, liberty, and property. ” ü Colonies didn’t mind being ruled by England.

FCC’s Compromise? Ø King George III did not agree! ü Therefore… ü Colonists should continue to boycott British goods. ü Colonial militia should be ready to fight.

The “Shot Heard Around the World. ” Ø Minutemen: colonial militia ready to fight at a minutes notice. Ø British General decided to take away the minutemen’s weapons and ammunition.

April 1775 Ø Weapons/ammunitions were stored in Concord. Ø Sons of Liberty sent 3 riders including Paul Revere to warn them.

Lexington and Concord: April 1775 Ø 70 minutemen Ø Large force of British Soldiers Ø Both commanders had orders not to fire Ø 8 dead colonists Ø British marched on to Concord Ø Found few weapons Ø Burned buildings Ø As the British returned to Boston additional militia opened fire Ø 250 Dead Redcoats Ø 100 Dead Colonists

The Second Continental Congress

Olive Branch Petition • Colonies state loyalty to the King • Ask for His help in ending the conflict • King George III proclaims the Colonies in a state of rebellion and hires mercenaries, also blockades the American coast.

Second Continental Congress (May 1775) • Called Washington to head colonial army • While not a military genius (he lost more battles than he won), he was trusted implicitly by his soldiers • He refused to be paid, though his records indicate expenses of over $100, 000 • Shrewd political choice by Congress: Virginian, wealthy, aristocratic, above reproach

• Second Continental Congress declared independence July 2, 1776. – Jefferson headed the committee drafting the written statement. Arguments were based on John Locke's contract theory of government: • All people have natural rights ("Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness") • When a government abuses rights, the people have a right to "alter or abolish" it • King George has acted tyrannically. Long list of wrongs done by King to colonists. • The colonies are independent. – Declaration gave a clear position for rebellious colonists, forcing others to choose rebellion or declare as Loyalists.