(September 5 – October 26, 1774)
On September 5, 1774, 12 of the thirteen colonies met to decide what actions to take in response to the Intolerable Acts. Georgia was the only missing colony, who were battling a Native American uprising and needed British support. The Intolerable Acts were established to isolate trouble-making Boston from the other colonies. The result was just the opposite.
A total of 56 delegates met at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some in attendance were:
· George Washington (who would become the 1st President of the United States).
· John Adams (he would become the 2nd President of the United States).
Although all the delegates supported actions against Britan, there were no precise methods on how to do it.
One proposal was “A Plan of Union of Great Britan and the Colonies.” This plan suggested setting up a Grand Council that would act like the British Parliament. The idea did not pass but by a narrow margin.
Instead, the Suffolk Resolves passed on September 17, 1774. Another plan called the Declaration of Resolves, adopted on October 17th, 1774, and would into effect on December 1st, 1774. This plan of action would result in a boycott of all British goods. The measures would stay enforce until Britan would repeal the Intolerable Acts. Britan declared the colonies to be in rebellion.
Before the end of the Congress, a Second Continental would be held on May 10, 1775, if the Intolerable Acts were still in effect.