Continental Congress
Revolutionary governing body
The Continental Congress was the assembly of delegates from the American colonies that governed during the Revolutionary War era.
The First Continental Congress (1774) coordinated colonial resistance to British policies.
The Second Continental Congress (1775–1781) declared independence, adopted the Articles of Confederation, and directed the war effort.
The Continental Congress appointed George Washington commander of the Continental Army.
Original American governing charter
- Declaration of IndependenceAmerica's founding proclamation
- resolutionsFormal decisions or pledges
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
- charterFounding organizational document
ordinances · enactment · amendments · lawmaking · governance · self-governance · unicameral · assembly
Chosen representatives or assigns
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
- John AdamsSecond American chief executive
- Thomas JeffersonThird American president
- Benjamin FranklinColonial American polymath statesman
George Washington · John Hancock · Samuel Adams · Patrick Henry · John Jay · Alexander Hamilton · signers · statesmen
Freedom from external control
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
tyranny · British rule · taxation · representation · colonial resistance · uprising · insurrection · militias
Colonial Philadelphia civic building
- 1775Year revolution started
- 1776American founding year
- colonial AmericaBritish North Atlantic settlements, pre-1776
- assembly roomVenue for group meetings
Western European republic
- Treaty of ParisMajor war-ending diplomatic pact
- Benjamin FranklinColonial American polymath statesman
- foreign affairsCross-border governmental dealings
- alliancesFormal unions for cooperation
envoys · ambassadors · negotiation · recognition · foreign aid · Dutch Republic · Spain · treaties
Articles of Confederation
Original American governing charter
- Declaration of IndependenceAmerica's founding proclamation
- resolutionsFormal decisions or pledges
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
charter · ordinances · enactment · amendments · lawmaking · governance · self-governance · unicameral · assembly · committee
delegates
Chosen representatives or assigns
- founding fathersMale originators of institutions
- John AdamsSecond American chief executive
- Thomas JeffersonThird American president
George Washington · Benjamin Franklin · John Hancock · Samuel Adams · Patrick Henry · John Jay · Alexander Hamilton · signers · statesmen · framers
independence
Freedom from external control
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- rebellionDefiance of established power
sovereignty · tyranny · British rule · taxation · representation · colonial resistance · uprising · insurrection · militias · Lexington
Independence Hall
Colonial Philadelphia civic building
- 1775Year revolution started
- 1776American founding year
- colonial AmericaBritish North Atlantic settlements, pre-1776
assembly room · York · Baltimore · Princeton
France
Western European republic
- Treaty of ParisMajor war-ending diplomatic pact
- Benjamin FranklinColonial American polymath statesman
- foreign affairsCross-border governmental dealings
alliances · envoys · ambassadors · negotiation · recognition · foreign aid · Dutch Republic · Spain · treaties · international relations
- American HistoryAmerican Revolution, Revolutionary War, colonial era, founding fathers, Declaration of Independence
- American RevolutionDeclaration of Independence, Boston Tea Party, founding fathers, Stamp Act, Intolerable Acts
- Revolutionary WarGeorge Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross flag
- Colonial AmericaGeorge Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence
- foundersfounders, founder, co-founders, cofounders, co-founder
- 18th Century GroupsFounding Fathers, Sons of Liberty, Jacobins, Freemasons, Illuminati
Continental CongressBritish Parliament
UK's national legislature
King George III · British Crown · House of Commons · House of Lords · Board of Trade
Continental CongressUnited States Congress
National legislative branch
U.S. Constitution · Constitutional Convention · Senate · House of Representatives · federal government
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