First Continental Congress

First Continental Congress History

The colonies had been in communication for decades, and even coordinated an effort through the Stamp Act Congress. However, the escalation of policies from Britain led to a more concerted effort in the form of a formal Continental Congress.

Stamp Act Congress

Before the formal creation of the Continental Congress, the colonies met together in 1765 to discuss their grievances about the Stamp Act.

The Stamp Act

The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in the aftermath of the French and Indian War to help pay for all of the soldiers that they had stationed in the colonies. It was the first time they had directly taxed the colonies. The Stamp Act required that essentially any piece of paper carry a “stamp” which certified that the owner had paid the tax to the British crown.

Unifying over the Stamp Act

Nine colonies sent representatives to the Stamp Act Congress: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina. The other colonies declined to send delegates for various reasons - some of them were struggling financially and others didn’t want to be associated with it.

The states that gathered for the Stamp Act Congress adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances (even though only 6 out of the nine colonies signed it). The Declaration said that the colonies were still loyal to the crown, but that England couldn't just tax them without giving them any representation in parliament.

A political cartoon depicting the death of the Stamp Act in 1965. Source: Wikimedia Commons CC-PD-Mark: Author, Unknown

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

The Coercive Acts of 1774 (called the “Intolerable Acts” by the colonies) led to escalating tensions between the colonies and England. Parliament wanted to force the colonies back in line after the antics of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, where colonists dumped hundreds of boxes of tea into the harbor to protest new taxes on tea. The Coercive Acts included four separate acts: the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Act of the Impartial Administration of Justice, and the Quartering Act.

A painting of the Boston Tea Party, when colonists dumped tea into the harbor to protest the excessive tax on tea. Source: Wikimedia Commons CC-PD.Mark: Author, Sopran

First Continental Congress Summary

Outrage at the Coercive Acts angered the colonies even more. No one wanted to call for a war or independence, but they didn't want to keep living under the oppressive rule of England.

The Coercive Acts convinced the colonies to meet together to debate how they should handle their complaints with the crown. The colonies sent delegates to the First Continental Congress that met from September 5 to October 26, 1774, in Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia.

You can still visit Carpenter's Hall (pictured above) in Philadelphia today! Source: Wikimedia Commons

First Continental Congress Members

The First Continental Congress included delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies. Georgia declined to attend because they still had some loyalties to the crown. The other colonies were: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Declaration and Resolves

The first few weeks of the Continental Congress saw heated debate between the delegates. Each had their own ideas about whether they should be loyal to the crown or try to force them to improve their policies. They decided to compromise with the Declaration and Resolves. The declaration affirmed the colonies’ loyalty to the crown while showing that they wouldn't stand for the oppressive policies.

Articles of Association

The Articles of Association detailed the colonies’ plans to impose economic sanctions on Britain. They adopted a “non-importation, non-consumption, non-exportation” policy as a peaceful, but effective, way to push England to lift its policies. If the Coercive Acts were not lifted by September 1775, the Articles of Association threatened to ban all exports from the colonies as well.

Boycott

As of December 1774, importing goods from Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies was banned.

The boycott of all British goods proved to be very successful: British imports dropped by 97% in 1775. Each colony set up its own local enforcement task force to ensure compliance. At this point, Britain was so unpopular in the colonies that many people were eager to take a stand by refusing to purchase any British goods. Those that opposed the boycott were punished by public shaming.

Aftermath

Instead of relenting and giving in to their demands because of the boycott, Britain doubled down on the Coercive Acts and other punitive measures. As a result, a second Continental Congress met in 1775 and ultimately made the decision to go to war with England and fight for independence. For more information on the Second Continental Congress, check out our Study Smarter Article!

First Continental Congress Significance

The First Continental Congress marked the first formal, concerted effort of the colonies to band together to address their grievances against Britain. While the Stamp Act Congress was an important precursor, it was much weaker in its request, tone, and membership. The First Continental Congress also made the first decision to show Britain that there would be consequences if their demands weren’t met.

Edenton Tea Party

While the men were protesting oppressive rule by tossing tea into harbor during the Boston Tea Party, a group of women organized what is now called the Edenton Tea Party.

Penelope Barker, a prominent social leader in Edenton, North Carolina, led the effort to write a statement of protest and declaration of their intention to boycott British goods. Fifty-one women signed the statement and sent it to London, where local newspapers published a cartoon mocking the letter.

People in the states weren’t aware of the letter until 1827 when a North Carolina naval officer visiting London discovered the unflattering cartoon and brought it back. Today, the Edenton Tea Party is celebrated as one of the first activist activities among colonial women.

The British cartoon mocking the Edenton Tea Party. Source: Wikimedia Commons