The First Continental Congress - Research Paper Example

? The First Continental Congress The First Continental Congress, convened in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, was the initial effort by the 13 colonies to organize. The meeting was called to discuss grievances against the British government. Foremost among these complaints was the inordinately high taxes levied on the colonies in concert with the lack of representation allowed them in Parliament. The colonists had little say in their own affairs while contributing a growing part of their revenues to a British Crown that controlled them. Each colony sent representatives to the Congress except Georgia which did not want to jeopardize the aid of British troops which were needed in that colony to help fend off Indian attacks. These representatives were not of one mind, however. The historically significant meeting of 54 men which included George Washington, John Adams and Patrick Henry were divided in purpose. Some delegates such as John Adam’s cousin Samuel Adams favored democratizing the colonies though were not yet suggesting forming their own country, at least not publically. Others insisted resolving the issues with Britain were the only sensible way and the meeting’s only intention. The convening of the First Continental Congress was meant to unite the colonies and gain the attention of the Mother Country and in that, its goal was accomplished. The colonists had considered themselves British citizens for the approximately century and a half they had been in America and likely would have continued this loyalty to country if the British Parliament and King George III had not restricted trade, increased taxation and permitted Colonies seats in House of Commons. Britain and France were engaged in costly battles both in Europe and America. Desperate to raise funds to pay back debts caused by continued military endeavors, Britain passed the Sugar Act on April 5, 1774 which not only levied a tax on American sugar but prohibited the importation of rum and French wine. The Stamp Act followed the next year requiring stamps to be purchased to sell many common products such as newspapers and playing cards. Stamps are still required today on liquor and cigarettes. Britain justified the tax claiming it was to pay for the protection provided its soldiers to protect citizens from Indian raids, a reason that did fell on deaf ears. Since 1770 the majority of colonists had been against British soldiers occupying America. On March 5th of that year tensions between soldiers and citizens reached its peak when soldiers fired shots into a taunting mob throwing ice-balls and sharp oyster shells at them. The event is popularly known as the Boston Massacre, an incident that might have escalated into all-out war at that time if not for John Adams. He successfully defended the British soldiers against a backdrop of a mob-mentality existing in Boston and spreading through Massachusetts along with the other colonies. (“American Revolution,” (2012). Following the Boston Massacre, Parliament abolished the Townshend tax which ended the taxes on just about everything except tea which led to another historical event. In December, 1773, colonists disguised as Indians boarded several English ships anchored in Boston Harbor. They tossed 342containers of tea into the sea to protest the tax and British occupation. George Washington, a member of the Virginia House, was concerned this overreaction to a three pence tax would cause the British, known for their ruthless tactics, to retaliate. Samuel Adams, leader of the Sons of Liberty, was “convinced that the tea duty had to be stopped at all costs and that their symbolic action had aroused America from its slumber.” (Chorlton, 2011 p. 34). Unlike Washington, they were happy because it forced American colonists to take sides. In May of 1774, Parliament passed the Massachusetts Government Act which nullified the Colony’s Charter and made town meetings illegal. The Administration of Justice Act soon followed. It allowed for British officials accused of committing crimes to be returned Britain for trial. Possibly the “last straw” was the Quartering Act which forced colonists to house British soldiers on request. The circumstances in Boston became more volatile when British General Thomas Gage was appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts. Gage and four regiments of British troops moved into Boston and soon seized a cache of weapons in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Britain’s objective with these oppressive actions was to subdue the rhetoric and actions of independent thinking Massachusetts citizens. These tactics did not have the intended effect, quite the opposite. The people of not only Massachusetts but other colonies were not intimidated, rather, they were emboldened and encouraged to further oppose British rule. (“American Revolution,” (2012). For example, “leaders in Virginia proposed that the colonies should collectively discuss their objections to His Majesty’s government. These actions among others were collectively referred to as Intolerable Acts which ultimately led to the First Continental Congress” (“American Revolution,” (2012). The representatives declared their opposition to the Intolerable Acts, stating they are “not to be obeyed.” The delegates also passed the Declaration and Resolves which include the famous words “to these grievous acts and measures, Americans cannot submit.” (“American Revolution,” (2012). Even though the collective Intolerable Acts were meant to suppress the citizens of Massachusetts, people of other colonies thought these measures would ultimately diminish the liberties of every colony.  The Virginia House of Burgesses was very influential because it was the legislative body representing the largest and richest colony. It proposed to show Britain the colonies were united in their opposition to what they considered tyrannical acts by Parliament by creating the coalition. Each colony, except Georgia, held special conventions to elect delegates to the congress. Until 1774, the colonies had considered themselves as countries, independent of each other but linked to England by ethnicity, heritage and law. The first couple of weeks, the First Continental Congress discussed what each individual colony wished to achieve. They could agree on showing the British a united front but their individual goals were dissimilar. Pennsylvania and New York were convinced an agreement with England was in all colonies’ best interest. Several colonies wanted legislative parity with England while more extremist colonies such as Massachusetts, wanted total separation from British rule. Pennsylvania Speaker of the House and Continental delegate Joseph Galloway drafted a Plan of Union which proposed the Congress elect a General Council, a legislative body similar to the state assemblies that would represent the colonies. This General Council would include a President General appointed by King George III to represent his authority over the colonies. Galloway’s plan received support five of the 12 and was defeated. (Nevin, 2011). The first and most significant topic the delegates considered was the deteriorating situation in Massachusetts due to the continued British occupation. The unsubstantiated rumor that Boston had undergone a barrage of cannon fire killing more than half a dozen citizens reached the Congress in Philadelphia by September, 1774. This alarming news proved not to be true but it highlighted the reality of British soldiers occupying Suffolk County, Massachusetts. This led the leaders of the county, which included the influential town of Boston, to authorize 19 Resolves that sanctioned armed resistance against the British if deemed necessary. In addition, the resolutions urged “a separate free state, called for a boycott of all English goods, advised that future tax collections be retained by the Massachusetts colony and not passed along to England, and advised the creation of a militia.” (Nevin, 2011). The Suffolk County Resolves were delivered to the First Continental Congress by Paul Revere. The conservative members were “aghast at the Resolves” that, effectively, declared independence from Britain and led to war in their opinion. However, they could not oppose the resolution supporting the Resolves because it would send a clear signal to colonists and Parliament alike that the Congress endorsed the British occupation which was in direct conflict with its stated purpose. Consequently, the Continental Congress voted unanimously to support the Suffolk Resolves despite the misgivings of some delegates. John Adams wrote in his diary that this was “one of the happiest days of my life. This day convinced me that America will support Massachusetts or perish with her.” (Chorlton, 2011 p. 15). The Congress altered the Resolves to include all colonies then drafted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, a list of the colonists’ complaints. This document contained a strongly worded message sure to catch the attention of the British Crown. “The inhabitants of the British Colonies in North America, by the immutable laws of nature, the principles of the English Constitution and the several charters and compacts, are entitled to life, liberty and property and they have never ceded to any power whatever the right to dispose of either without their consent.” (Chorlton, 2011 p. 26). The Declaration of Rights and Grievances and the Suffolk Resolves became the guiding principle for the 13 colonies. A week after this first step to independence was adopted, Congress established The Association on October 20, 1774 before disbanding. The forcefully written agreement was a declaration calling for meeting aggression with aggression. This was a contract between the colonies that committed them to resist British rule, cooperate with each other and to prohibit English goods.  However, if the Intolerable Acts were rescinded, then the colonists would suspend the Association and end the boycott. This agreement included the “enforcement and regulation of resistance to England, to keep open communication between the colonies, and to ensure the non-importation of English goods.” (Nevin, 2011). The signature of then President of the First Continental Congress, Henry Laurens, was needed to make the document official. Right up until the moment he relented and signed it Laurens pleaded with the delegates to include a declaration of loyalty to King George III. He said the document was essentially his last will and testament with the significant distinction that “this is signed by my hand and may be sealed with my blood. By signing this I may forfeit my estate into the hands of the enemy.” (Chorlton, 2011 p. 126). Upon signing, the delegates rose to applaud knowing it was a treasonous document and they were in danger of losing both their lives and property. The First Continental Congress, assembled September 5 to October 26, 1774, was the initial meeting of colonial representatives. They sought to lay the foundation for a unified America while addressing many of the colonists’ ambition to be independent from England. The colonists thought the British Parliament did not have the right to impose taxes on them because they would not allow the colonies to be represented in Parliament. In addition, the unfair trade restrictions and oppressive military tactics against citizens called for a response. King George III and the British Parliament did not budge in the slightest upon receiving Congress’ grievances, a tact which encouraged and emboldened those colonists desiring independence to openly speak of war with England, an approach unheard of previous to the recent events. By February of 1775, the colony of Massachusetts led by John Hancock began preparing for war with England. A month later Virginian Patrick Henry gave a speech that included the famous words “Give me liberty or give me death!” and war became eminent. The First Continental Congress accomplished two primary goals. The first was to show organized opposition to the Intolerable Acts. The colonists put up a united front against the most powerful military at that time threatening to boycott British cargo if their demand was not met. The delegates also agreed to meet again in 1775 if their complaints were not satisfactorily addressed. Following the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress was assembled which, among other important accomplishments, begat the Declaration of Independence leading to the Revolutionary War and the birth of the United States of America. Bibliography Beverly Nevin, “American history: The first continental congress,” May 31, 2011, accessed June 23, 2012 from http://www.helium.com/items/2167753-amerian-history-the-first-continental-congress. Thomas Patrick Chorlton, The First American Republic 1774-1789: The First Fourteen American Presidents Before Washington (AuthorHouse April 28, 2011). “American Revolution,” 2012. Awesome Stories, accessed June 23, 2012 from http://www.awesomestories.com/history/patriot/story-prefac Read More