The First Continental Congress was a meeting held by men representing
England’s thirteen colonies in America in 1774. At that time, the English
government was imposing increasing control over the American colonies
with unpopular laws, such as taxes on imports and requirements that
English soldiers in America be housed in colonists’ homes if necessary.
England’s unpopular laws stirred discontent among colonists, and
tensions rose. Many colonists felt England was taking away colonial
rights and liberties. Of particular concern was the fact that the colonists
had no representation in the British Parliament that was imposing the
laws. Massachusetts alone faced a series of punitive laws imposed by
England after protesting colonists dumped British tea into Boston’s harbor in December 1773 in what became known as the Boston Tea Party.
Punishment of Massachusetts raised concerns in the other colonies for
the well-being of their own communities.
To address these issues, the colonists called a convention in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From September 5 to October 26, 1774,
fifty-six delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies assembled at the
First Continental Congress to discuss their troubles. Only Georgia did
not elect or send delegates.
The delegates’ primary intention was to unite in calling for a change
in England’s policies toward the colonies. In carefully worded resolutions, the delegates asked England to repeal, or withdraw, a series of policies and laws reaching as far back as 1763. To punctuate the sincerity of
their position, the delegates resolved to ban imports from Great Britain and to stop exports from the colonies if their grievances were not redressed by September 1775.
Finally, during the course of the convention, the delegates produced
a series of declarations and addresses to King George III (1738–1820),
to the people of Great Britain, and to the American colonists in hopes of
gaining support for their position. Before adjourning, the delegates
planned to convene a Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in
May 1775. (See Continental Congress, Second.)