Essay On The First Continental Congress

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The First Continental Congress The Coercive Acts frightened the colonists and they thought they would even take a stronger action on them. So, because of this on September 1774 representatives of each colony met in Philadelphia to discuss how they should respond to Britain. Since this was the first meeting of its kind in North America this event was called the First Continental Congress. A congress is a formal meeting of representatives. The congress decided to send a signed petition to the king. The petition stated their basic rights as a British citizen: the right to life and liberty, the right to assemble, or gather together, and the right to a trial by jury. Congress made May 10, 1775 as the Parliament’s deadline to respond. The Congress also asked colonies to form militias and stop most trade with Britain. The Battle of Lexington and Concord When the First Continental Congress asked the colonies to form militias, Massachusetts quickly formed a part-time militia called the minutemen. They were called the minutemen because they were always ready to fight even at a minute’s …show more content…

This event is known as the Second Continental Congress. The representatives met at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania only Georgia did not send representatives. The congress discussed what they should do next. Some wanted war with Britain. Others wanted to be peaceful with Britain and avoid any more fighting. So, by June the congress made a compromise. They decided they should at least prepare for war. Their first step was to form a full-time army called the Continental Army. They chose George Washington to be the army’s commander in chief or the leader of the army. Finally the congress asked the colonies to donate guns, food, and uniforms to the army. They also decided they should print out paper money known as Continental currency to pay the British

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