First Continental Congress

1. First Continental Congress • Convened September 5, 1774 • Every colony represented except Georgia • 56 Delegates included Samuel and John Adams (MA), Joseph Galloway and John Dickinson (PA), Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington (VA) • Goals • Respond to the Intolerable Acts • Defend American rights w/o war • Actions • Endorsed the Suffolk Resolves • Sent a petition to the king conceding power to Parliament to regulate commerce but denouncing actions taken to date unconstitutional

2. Second Continental Congress • Convened May 10, 1775 • All colonies sent delegates • Goals • Resolve conflict and remain a part of the British Empire • Actions • Olive Branch Petition • Established a Continental Army with George Washington as Commander • Richard Henry Lee (VA) introduces the resolution for Independence- July 2, 1776 resolution passes- USA created • Declaration of Independence approved July 4, 1776 • Evolves into a national government without defined powers until the Articles of Confederation passed in 1779