Ch.+5-+The+First+and+Second+Continental+Congress

=First Continental Congress: = = = 

This convention was held in September of 1774 in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. Delegates gathered because they were severely displeased with the Intolerable Acts and wanted to do something to show Britain that they did not want to be treated badly. The colonists wanted to see what would be the best way to react to British demands that did not let them have their rights and liberties. The Americans needed a way to solve their problems with the British but they tried to stay away from provoking a war.

The delegates were very diverse in their beliefs, but could come up with a decision that everyone agreed with. The leading radical figures were Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, and John Adams. George Washington and John Dickerson were two moderates who went to represent their ideas, and some conservatives there were John Jay, and [|Joseph Galloway].

During the meeting, many decisions were made. The plan that would have reordered relations with Parliament and needed a colonial union within the colonies under the British was proposed by Galloway, his [|"plan of union,"] and denied. There were four major decisions that were made at the First Continental Congress:

1. A statement of grievances was endorsed, and there was a petition for the King to restore colonial rights. The Americans wanted to show Britain that they knew what they needed, but that they were also still dependent on them for some things, so Parliament's authority to regulate commerce was recognized.

2. The delegates decided that it would be best to prepare a military just in case the Brith=ish decided to attack.

3. The delegates agreed to form a "Continental Association" in order to stop all trade with Britain: nonimportation, nonexportation, and nonconsumption of all British goods.

4. If the rights of the colonists were not recognized, they were to meet again the next Spring, in May of 1775.

=Second Continental Congress = = =  In May 1775, the delegates met again in Philadelphia shortly after the fighting of the war started. The main point of conflict now was that some people wanted to declare their independence from Britain, while others wanted to negotiate a new relationship with them. The Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms was adopted so that colonists could provide troops for the war. An American navy and marine corps was organized so that the Americans could attack the British ships at sea. George Washington was a patriot who was appointed to be the Commander-in-chief of the new colonial army.

In the beginning, the colonists were weary about fighting against Britain because they didn't want to lose their protection, but there were others who were striving for their independence. The delegates sent an "Olive Branch Petition" to King George III asking for peace and protection of their rights. It was dismissed by the King and the colonists were charged with rebellion.

In January 1776, Thomas Paine published //Common Sense// in an effort to get the colonists to realize that what was best for all the colonies was breaking away from Britain and the forceful grip they had on the Americans. Paine said that the King was corrupt and it was not common sense that a small island like Britain rule over a large nation such as the colonies were, and from such a large distance away too.

The delegates finally decided that what they needed to do was declare their independence form Britain. Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution for independence which was further expanded by Thomas Jefferson and four other delegates to form the [|Declaration of Independence]. The document was adopted on the 4th of July in 1776.

~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galloway%27s_Plan_of_Union ~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Continental_Congress ~http://theamericanrevolution.org/peopledetail.aspx?people=39 ~http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h656.html

~http://www. ~http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/political/continental-congress.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/political/continental-congress.htm&usg=__o1bkFtSHBrJrZ12tFLDLW-MMOqg=&h=428&w=623&sz=75&hl=en&start=1&itbs=1&tbnid=6UMsVkKdBA-ChM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=136&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcontinental%2Bcongress%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1