Theme of the First Continental Congress
(Source: Library of Congress)
In 1774, the colonies held
the First Continental Congress. Representatives from each
colony, except Georgia, met in Philadelphia. The royal
governor in Georgia succeeded in blocking delegates from
being sent to the congress.
The representatives
gathered to discuss their response to the British
"Intolerable Acts." They met to discuss their
relationship with Britain, and how to assert their rights
with the British government. They wanted to appear as
united colonies in their reply to Britain. The purpose of
the First Continental Congress was not to seek
independence from Britain.
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First Continental Congress meeting
(Source: Library of Congress)
The congress had three
objectives: to compose a statement of colonial rights, to
identify British parliaments violation of those rights,
and to provide a plan that would convince Britain to
restore those rights.
The members agreed to boycott
British goods and passed resolutions asserting colonial
rights. They also agreed to meet again in May 1775, if
the British did not change their policies.
In retaliation, the King and Lord North of England
decided to punish and weaken the colonies. They blocked
colony access to the North Atlantic fishing area.
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