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The Continental Congress

After abuses by the British, the colonists of Boston raided their tea ships in the harbor. As punishment, King George III shut down the port. How should the colonists respond? Samuel Adams called for a meeting of the colonial leaders. They met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1774 and formed the First Continental Congress.

To find out more about that exciting time, go to http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/timeline.html. Name five events which happened between 1764 and 1775 that took American colonists closer to revolution.

Go to http://www.libertynet.org/iha/tour/index.html". Click on "Carpenters' Hall" on the list at right. Scroll down to the third paragraph. Why was Carpenters' Hall chosen for the Congress?

Continue to scroll down until you see the red buttons. Who were some of the famous men at this Congress? After they ended their session, what did they decide to do?

Why would Patrick Henry say, "I am not a Virginian, but an American"?

Go to http://pbs.bilkent.edu.tr/ktca/liberty/chronicle/continental.cong.html to learn about the Second Continental Congress. What were its main concerns?

Extension Activity

Scroll down and click on "The Game." Play A Revolutionary Game and watch what happens.