First Continental Congress Essay Example

objectives: to gain a say in London and seek redemption for prior denial. The attendance of prominent figures like George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John Jay, and John Dickinson highlights the importance of this event. Despite bringing together 55 delegates from diverse professions including trade, farming and law; limited communication between colonies resulted in varying issues and opinions amongst many first-time attendees.

During the First Continental Congress, communication was not an issue, as the members engaged in extensive discussion and debate. However, the delegate's independence made it challenging to establish trust and work together for a common goal. Despite a vague agenda, leadership was critical in achieving the three primary objectives once addressed.

During the First Continental Congress, the goal was to achieve three things: create a statement outlining colonial rights, identify British Parliament's violations of those rights, and develop a plan that would convince Britain to restore them. One of the proposals on the table was Joseph Galloway's Plan of Union. Despite being a conservative from Pennsylvania, Galloway's plan gained popularity among most members. It suggested the creation of a popularly elected Grand Council that would act as a continental version of the English Parliament to represent the interests of all colonies. Additionally, Galloway proposed a President General position that would have the power to rule in America similar to the role of the King of England in mimicking the English Crown.

The Plan of Union had an important aspect where each body would hold veto power over the other in relation to the colonies. During this time, there was a high level of debate between the conservatives and radicals. Galloway's

plan was likely to pass through the First Continental Congress until Paul Revere arrived with the Suffolk reserves. According to u-s-history.com, the Suffolk Reserves were a series of political statements from Boston-area communities forwarded to Philadelphia. The Suffolk Reserves declared various things such as the Coercive Acts being unconstitutional and void, urging Massachusetts to establish a separate free state until these acts were repealed, calling for a boycott of British goods, and announcing that subjects no longer owe loyalty to a violating king.

The defeat of Galloway's Plan of Union was caused by the arrival of the Suffolk Reserves on September 17, 1774. This shift in focus led to Massachusetts becoming the leader in resisting British policies and taking revolutionary steps that surpassed those taken by other colonies. After the Suffolk Reserves, the delegates turned to adopting The Association on October 20, 1774. This non-importation agreement aimed to completely boycott trade with England, Ireland, and the British West Indies and was considered the ultimate form of such agreement. The Continental Association's goal was to enforce this boycott from December 1, 1774 onwards, unless parliament repealed the Intolerable Acts by September.

If England did not respond by the deadline, the delegates agreed to implement the Association's second phase, which would promote a complete boycott of English goods that were already being consumed in America. The Association was widely supported in America, with local committees established to monitor compliance. Non-compliant individuals were subjected to public embarrassment and ostracism. Although short-lived, the Association was generally successful, with enforcement committees established in all but one of the colonies and trade with Britain declining sharply.

In April 1775, fighting on American soil

led to the dissolution of the Association and ended attempts to alter British policies. However, the First Continental Congress produced the crucial Declaration of Rights and Grievances, a collection of American complaints addressed to King George III, rather than parliament. This document highlighted various essential rights that the colonists believed England had an obligation to uphold.

The Declaration of Rights and Grievances declared that the colonists possessed the entitlement to their life, liberty, and property. It also stated that they had not given any sovereign power consent to dispose of these rights without their permission. Furthermore, it affirmed that emigrating did not result in the forfeiture of these rights. The declaration asserted that English liberty and free government necessitated people's participation in their legislative council. However, due to a lack of representation and other circumstances, English colonists did not have this right. This document served as a framework for other essential documents like the Articles of Confederation and even the Constitution. By setting aside personal opinions and vendettas, delegates at the First Continental Congress established a sense of unity among all colonists.

After months of discussion, the members of the First Continental Congress deemed their message effectively conveyed. They adjourned on October 26, 1774 with plans to reconvene as the Second Continental Congress in May 1775 if England did not comply. The First Continental Congress can be viewed as a partial success for history students due to successful communication with England, improved understanding of colonial issues, and increased interaction among colonists that strengthened British control.

While their demands were not entirely satisfied, the First Continental Congress played a key role in obtaining our freedom and shaping our perspective

on American History.