The First Continental Congress; the Colonists Unite:
After the Intolerable Acts were passed, the colonies began to unite. Boston Patriots declared they would “abandon their city to flames” before paying a penny for the lost tea. Many colonies (including other parts of Massachusetts) sent food and money to Boston so that its citizens would not starve.
In Virginia, lawmakers drafted a resolution in support of Massachusetts. The Virginians said that everyone’s rights were at stake. “An attack made on one of our sister colonies,” they declared, “is an attack made on all British America.” The Virginians also called for a congress, or meeting, of delegates from all the colonies. The purpose of the congress would be to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts with Great Britain.
Not all Americans agreed with the plan. In every colony, there were Loyalists who thought Bostonians had gone too far and should pay for the tea. If they were forced to choose, they would side with the king against Sam Adams and his Sons of lIberty. In their view, it was misguided Patriots who were causing all the trouble.
In September 1774, some 50 leaders from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia. The meeting brought together delegates from twelve of the thirteen British colonies on the North American continent (except Georgia), so it was called the First Continental Congress. The delegates were used to thinking of themselves as citizens from their own colonies. Patrick Henry, a leader from Virginia, urged them to come together as one people. “I am not a Virginian,” he declared, “but an American.” Thomas Jefferson argued that England's actions were a, "deliberate and systematical plan of reducing us to slavery." But only strong Patriots like Sam and John Adams were ready to think of themselves this way. Many delegates were strong Loyalists who still thought of themselves as British. Others, like George Washington, were somewhere in between. Only one thing united the delegates – their love of liberty and hatred of tyranny.
In spite of their differences, the delegates agreed to send a respectful message to King George. The message urged the king to consider their complaints and to recognize their rights. The delegates also called for a new boycott of British goods until Parliament repealed the Intolerable Acts. They lastly agreed to meet again the following May if the boycott did not work.
After the Intolerable Acts were passed, the colonies began to unite. Boston Patriots declared they would “abandon their city to flames” before paying a penny for the lost tea. Many colonies (including other parts of Massachusetts) sent food and money to Boston so that its citizens would not starve.
In Virginia, lawmakers drafted a resolution in support of Massachusetts. The Virginians said that everyone’s rights were at stake. “An attack made on one of our sister colonies,” they declared, “is an attack made on all British America.” The Virginians also called for a congress, or meeting, of delegates from all the colonies. The purpose of the congress would be to find a peaceful solution to the conflicts with Great Britain.
Not all Americans agreed with the plan. In every colony, there were Loyalists who thought Bostonians had gone too far and should pay for the tea. If they were forced to choose, they would side with the king against Sam Adams and his Sons of lIberty. In their view, it was misguided Patriots who were causing all the trouble.
In September 1774, some 50 leaders from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia. The meeting brought together delegates from twelve of the thirteen British colonies on the North American continent (except Georgia), so it was called the First Continental Congress. The delegates were used to thinking of themselves as citizens from their own colonies. Patrick Henry, a leader from Virginia, urged them to come together as one people. “I am not a Virginian,” he declared, “but an American.” Thomas Jefferson argued that England's actions were a, "deliberate and systematical plan of reducing us to slavery." But only strong Patriots like Sam and John Adams were ready to think of themselves this way. Many delegates were strong Loyalists who still thought of themselves as British. Others, like George Washington, were somewhere in between. Only one thing united the delegates – their love of liberty and hatred of tyranny.
In spite of their differences, the delegates agreed to send a respectful message to King George. The message urged the king to consider their complaints and to recognize their rights. The delegates also called for a new boycott of British goods until Parliament repealed the Intolerable Acts. They lastly agreed to meet again the following May if the boycott did not work.
The Colonies Form Militias: (A militia is a non-professional military force formed from civilians.)
In towns and cities throughout the colonies, Patriots appointed committees to enforce the boycott. In case the boycott didn’t work, they also organized local militias. In New England, these volunteers called themselves Minutemen because they could be ready to fight in 60 seconds. Across the colonies militias marched and drilled. In New Hampshire, unknown persons stole 100 barrels of gunpowder and 16 cannons from a British fort. Similar thefts occurred in other colonies. Rather than forcing the colonies to give in, the Intolerable Acts had brought the two sides to the brink of war.
King George had made many mistakes in his decisions about the colonies. The First Continental Congress listed all these mistakes in its message to the king. Now he made another one. Rather than consider the colonists complaints, King George refused even to answer their message. "The New England governments are in a state of rebellion," he said. "Blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent." In Boston, General Gage, the king's commander of British troops in America, got ready to deliver these blows.
In towns and cities throughout the colonies, Patriots appointed committees to enforce the boycott. In case the boycott didn’t work, they also organized local militias. In New England, these volunteers called themselves Minutemen because they could be ready to fight in 60 seconds. Across the colonies militias marched and drilled. In New Hampshire, unknown persons stole 100 barrels of gunpowder and 16 cannons from a British fort. Similar thefts occurred in other colonies. Rather than forcing the colonies to give in, the Intolerable Acts had brought the two sides to the brink of war.
King George had made many mistakes in his decisions about the colonies. The First Continental Congress listed all these mistakes in its message to the king. Now he made another one. Rather than consider the colonists complaints, King George refused even to answer their message. "The New England governments are in a state of rebellion," he said. "Blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent." In Boston, General Gage, the king's commander of British troops in America, got ready to deliver these blows.