Continental Congress 1774 1775

1st Continental Congress Members were: Samuel Adams (Massachusetts) John Adams (Massachusetts) John Jay (New York) George Washington (Virginia) Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) Patrick Henry (Virginia)

1st Continental Congress Leaders from 12 of the 13 colonies sent representatives. There was not a representative from Georgia.

1st Continental Congress Made a request for peace and fairness Did not approve taxation without their consent Gathered a list of grievances and stated their rights as colonists Continued to boycott and stopped trade with England Recommended that militias prepare to fight Set up their next meeting time

Declaring Freedom Activity Make a 3 column Chart and label them Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness List each of the 27 complaints under one of the 3 columns. Declaring Freedom Activity Life Liberty Pursuit of Happiness

Declaring Freedom Activity Violations like “waging war against us” and “destroying lives of our people” would fall under the right to life. Coming under violations of liberty would be such wrongs as quartering troops among the colonists or judges serving solely at the king’s will. Assaults against the pursuit of happiness would include such injustices as trade and land acquisition restrictions.

Declaring freedom activity According to the document, which right was violated most often by the British? Do you think the Patriots were justified in their effort to set up a new government? Explain your answer. Define the terms endowed and unalienable in the context of their use in the declaration of independence. The second paragraph of this states that it is both the right and the duty of people to overthrow a tyrannical government. Based upon this statement and the long list of violations that follow, does the final sentence of the declaration of independence seem fitting or out of place? Explain your answer.

2nd Continental Congress Appointed Washington as Commander of the Continental Army Made a request for peace called the Olive Branch Petition Set up a committee to write the Declaration of Independence Set up a national government under the Articles of Confederation