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 ActParliament prohibited

Colonies from making own $$.

1765

• Quartering ActColonies were required

to provide barracks and supplies to British troops.

• Stamp ActDirect tax on Colonies

from Parliament • Newspapers, pamphlets,

etc. • Dice, playing cards

1766

• Repeal of Stamp Act

• Declaration ActPassed 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 ActsParliament initiated

taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea.

• NonimportationColonies 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 ResolutionsHouse 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 MassacreArrival the British Troops in Boston

provoked conflict between citizens and soldiers. On March 5th, 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 BillIn 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 5th

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?