Grade 8
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 02
First Continental Congress
Information Sheet
On September 5, 1774, 56 delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia's
Carpenter Hall, later named Independence Hall, for the 1st Continental Congress.
Some of the most prominent figures of that time were present included John Adams, his
cousin Sam Adams, John Dickinson, Patrick Henry, and George Washington. Their
meeting was a response to the Intolerable Acts. The Congress hoped that uniting
would give them a more powerful voice in England.
Although colonists ranged from Patriots to Loyalists, delegates to the Congress demanded fair treatment and peace from England—not independence just yet. They
asked King George III to stop taxing the colonies without their consent and they
gathered a list of grievances and rights addressed to King George III. They
recommended that colonists continue to boycott and stop trade with Britain and also
warned colonial militias to be prepared to fight. They also set up a time to meet again
which they called the 2nd Continental Congress.
The British Parliament saw the Congress as treasonous and rebellious and more
soldiers were sent to the Colonies. The requests of the Congress were ignored.
©2012, TESCCC
05/04/12
page 1 of 1
Grade 8
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 02
Second Continental Congress
Information Sheet
The 2nd Continental Congress met in Philadelphia after the Battles of Lexington and
Concord on May 10, 1775. There were several new faces to the Congress including
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Hancock. Hancock was elected
President of the Congress.
This Congress established the Continental Army that represented all of the 13 colonies,
and appointed George Washington as the Commander-in-Chief. A final plea for peace
called the Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George at the request of Loyalist
delegates who did not want an outright revolution. King George III rejected this last
attempt for peace because he believed England could end the colonial rebellion with
their military might.
The 2nd Continental Congress also formed a committee that included Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman to
draft the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson surfaced as the main author of the
Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Paine contributed to the spirit of revolution in America and France through his
influential writings. In January 1776, Paine wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet which
attacked the monarchical system, supported independence, and outlined a new form of
government. Paine became a leading propagandist of the American Revolution and
fueled the fears of the colonists of the tyrannical government of Great Britain.
The influence of these ideals is evident in the Declaration of Independence which was
finally adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776. With the adoption of the Declaration,
Americans officially sent the message that freedom from England would be the ultimate
goal. The Declaration of Independence championed individual rights and defined the
purpose of government, consent of the governed, equality, and the right to question
governmental authority.
Lastly, the Congress created a national government for the colonies called the Articles
of Confederation. This new government was not ratified, or approved, until 1781.
©2012, TESCCC
05/04/12
page 1 of 1
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