Continental Congress

After the Intolerable acts were passed, the Colonists were angry. How would you feel if all of your rights were taken away?

After the Intolerable Acts, there were 12 delegates (people who are voted in to represent a group of people) that traveled to Philadelphia to discuss what to do about the British and their control.

This Congress (or formal meeting) gave the delegates a chance to get to know one another for the first time in person. This is also where there were patriots (people loyal to the colonies), loyalists (people loyal to the British), and some who were undecided.

At the Continental Congress is where they brainstormed ideas to change the unfair treatment from the British Parliament (Lawmaking group in Britain). They came up with 3 (three) major points:

1. Grievances, or frustrations, with the Intolerable Acts.

2. They wanted the king to respect their rights.

3. Stop trading with the British until the king got rid of the Intolerable Acts.

The colonists that were on board, or in agreement with, the requests they had for the British created a militia, or army to enforce this boycott.

Some of these colonists in the army were called the Minutemen because they were ready to fight at a moment's notice.