Heroes and Villains of the Continental Congress

Definitions Hero: Illustrious warrior; one greatly regarded for achievements or qualities Villian: scoundrel

Delegates: a representative sent as a deputy Affirm : to make a solemn declaration; maintain a statement Congress : formal assembly for discussion; a legislative body

Our Heroes

George Washington John Adams Patrick Henry

Benjamin Franklin Richard Henry Lee Samuel Adams John Dickson

Villains King John King George

1764 Sugar Act Parliament wanted $$ from the Colonies. Increased fees (duties) on non-British goods. Currency Act Parliament prohibited Colonies from making own $$.

1765 Quartering Act Colonies were required to provide barracks and supplies to British troops. Stamp Act Direct tax on Colonies from Parliament Newspapers, pamphlets, etc. Dice, playing cards

1766 Repeal of Stamp Act Declaration Act Passed by Parliament the same day as the Stamp Tax Repeal, Parliament maintained control with laws that bound American colonies “in all cases whatsoever” Resistance to the Quartering Act in NYC

1767 Townshed Acts Parliament initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea. Nonimportation Colonies decided to discourage British imports purchases. “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitant of the British Colonies.” A pamphlet by John Dixon

1768 Massachusetts Circular Letter An attack on Parliament’s persistence in taxing the Colonies without proper representation and called for unified resistance by all the colonies. By Samuel Adams

1769 Virginia’s Resolutions House of Burgesses passed resolutions condemning Britain's actions against Massachusetts and stated that only Virginia's governor and legislature could tax it’s citizens. The members also drafted a formal letter to the King, completing it just before the legislature was dissolved by Virginia’s royal governor. Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty…

1770 End to Nonimportation The colonies relaxed their boycott of British imported goods in response to Parliament’s relaxation of its taxation laws. Townshend Acts (1767) Cut Back –Parliament with drew all of the Townshend Act taxes, because of the reduced profits resulting from the colonial boycott of imported British goods, except for the tea tax.

Riot between NYC Citizens and British Troops Conflict between citizens and British Troops caused a riot to erupt, resulting in serious wounds, but no fatalies. Boston Massacre Arrival the British Troops in Boston provoked conflict between citizens and soldiers. On March 5 th, a group of soldiers surrounded by an unfriendly crowd opened fire, killing three Americans, wounding two more.

1772 Attack on the “Gaspee” After several boatloads of men attacked a grounded British customs schooner near Providence, Rhode Island, the royal governor offered a reward for the discovery of the men, planning to send them to England for trial, which enraged the colonists.

1772 Committees of Correspondence were created. Samuel Adams called for a Boston town meeting to create committees of correspondence to communicate Boston’s position to the other colonies. Similar committees were soon created throughout the colonies.

1773 Tea Act A reduced tax on imported British tea gave British merchants an unfair advantage in selling their tea. American colonists condemned the act and began planning a boycott of British tea.

Boston Tea Party When British ships arrived in Boston harbor, citizens wanted the tea sent back to England without the payment of any taxes. The Royal Governor insisted on payment of all taxes. On December 16th, colonists disguised as Indians boarded the ships and dumped all the tea into the harbor.

1774 Boston Port Bill In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed several acts to punish Massachusetts, including the banishment of loading or unloading of any ships in Boston Harbor. Parliament also broadened it’s previous Quartering Act (1765). The British Troops would now be allowed to stay in any occupied dwelling.

COLONIES PROTEST!! Massachusetts suggested at return to nonimportation, but several states preferred a congress of all the colonies to discuss united resistance. Delegates were named to attend the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia on September 5 th

56 Delegates You already have already met many of them … George Washington Benjamin Franklin John Adams Patrick Henry Samuel Adams

What did they DO? Affirmed the right of the colonies to life, liberty and the property. Sent a letter to the King of England requesting the removal of the blockade. Approved resolutions calling on the colonists of Massachusetts to arm themselves and stop trading with Britain.

Within a few short months, the American Revolution began… A new country was “born”

And the world would NEVER be the same!

Quick Check How many years did we discuss? How many delegates were appointed to the First Continental Congress? Who wrote “Letters From a Pennsylvania Farmer”? Where was the First Continental Congress held?