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The '''Continental Congress''' refers to two separate organizations that played a major role in leading the [[Thirteen Colonies]] into the [[American Revolution]].  The First set the stage in 1774. The Second became the national government of the United Colonies, which in July 1776 became the United States of America.  Both congresses met in Philadelphia and were composed of delegates selected by the 13 colonies/states. The Second Continental Congress in March 1781 took a new name, "The United States in Congress Assembled." The Congress was a weak national government—there was no president or executive branch, and no judges; most business was handled by committees.

The '''Continental Congress''' refers to two separate organizations that played a major role in leading the [[Thirteen Colonies]] into the [[American Revolution]].  The First set the stage in 1774. The Second became the national government of the United Colonies, which in July 1776 became the United States of America.  Both congresses met in Philadelphia and were composed of delegates selected by the 13 colonies/states. The Second Continental Congress in March 1781 took a new name, "The United States in Congress Assembled", when it came under the jurisdiction of the [[Articles of Confederation]].  The Congress was a weak national government—there was no president or executive branch, and no judges; most business was handled by committees.

[[File:2-congress.jpg|thumb|280px]]

[[File:2-congress.jpg|thumb|280px]]

==Background==

==Background==

Trouble brewed in Boston where the British army, opposed by colonial Minute Men, had marched on Lexington and Concord. An outpouring of militia trapped the British in Boston, and Congress took control of them, appointing one of their members Colonel [[George Washington]] of Virginia as commander in chief "of all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defense of American liberty." For the next six years Congress became the national government.  

Trouble brewed in Boston where the British army, opposed by colonial Minute Men, had marched on Lexington and Concord. An outpouring of militia trapped the British in Boston, and Congress took control of them, appointing one of their members Colonel [[George Washington]] of Virginia as commander in chief "of all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defense of American liberty." For the next six years Congress became the national government.  

The Second Continental Congress, called by the First Continental Congress,  convened in Philadelphia, May 10, 1775, adopting the name the "United Colonies."  Fighting had begun and the Americans had trapped a major British army in Boston. The failure in Sept. 1775 of the "[[Olive Branch Petition]]" of conciliation with Britain convinced the members of Congress that there was no turning back.  

The Second Continental Congress, called by the First Continental Congress,  convened in Philadelphia, May 10, 1775, adopting the name the "United Colonies."  Fighting had begun and the Americans had trapped a major British army in Boston. The failure in Sept. 1775 of the "[[Olive Branch Petition]]" of conciliation with Britain convinced the members of Congress that there was no turning back.

===New nation===

==Congress of the Confederation==

 

 

==New nation==

After expelling the British from all 13 colonies in spring 1776, Congress called on each to set up a state government.  Convinced by [[Thomas Paine]] that there was no further need for a king, the Congress unanimously approved independence and issued the [[Declaration of Independence]] in July 1776, announcing a new nation had been formed on July 4.

After expelling the British from all 13 colonies in spring 1776, Congress called on each to set up a state government.  Convinced by [[Thomas Paine]] that there was no further need for a king, the Congress unanimously approved independence and issued the [[Declaration of Independence]] in July 1776, announcing a new nation had been formed on July 4.

Immediately after the Declaration, Congress drafted the [[Articles of Confederation]]. It went into effect in 1777 but was not finally ratified in 1781. After a four month long [[Constitutional Convention]] and ratifying conventions in all 13 states, the Articles were replaced by the much more powerful [[Constitution]] in 1789.

Immediately after the Declaration, Congress drafted the [[Articles of Confederation]]. It went into effect in 1777 but was not finally ratified in 1781. After a four month long [[Constitutional Convention]] and ratifying conventions in all 13 states, the Articles were replaced by the much more powerful [[Constitution]] in 1789.

===National capital moves around===

==National capital moves around==

The British advance on Philadelphia compelled Congress in mid-December 1776, to flee to Baltimore. When the British pulled out it returned to Philadelphia in March 1777. In September, Congress was again forced out, going to Lancaster and then York, Pennsylvania, where it remained until the British left Philadelphia in June 1778. In June 1783, Congress left Philadelphia because of the mutiny of Pennsylvania militia, this time going to Princeton, New Jersey, until Nov. 4, 1783, then to Annapolis, Maryland and in 1784 to Trenton, New Jersey. It moved to New York City in early, 1785, and remained until it closed its books in 1789.  

The British advance on Philadelphia compelled Congress in mid-December 1776, to flee to Baltimore. When the British pulled out it returned to Philadelphia in March 1777. In September, Congress was again forced out, going to Lancaster and then York, Pennsylvania, where it remained until the British left Philadelphia in June 1778. In June 1783, Congress left Philadelphia because of the mutiny of Pennsylvania militia, this time going to Princeton, New Jersey, until Nov. 4, 1783, then to Annapolis, Maryland and in 1784 to Trenton, New Jersey. It moved to New York City in early, 1785, and remained until it closed its books in 1789.

==Peacetime==

==Peacetime==

The serious fighting ended in 1781 when Washington captured the main British combat army at Yorktown.  The British garrison army in New York City (and a few other places) remained until the peace treaty took effect in late 1783.   

The serious fighting ended in 1781 when Washington captured the main British combat army at Yorktown.  The British garrison army in New York City (and a few other places) remained until the peace treaty took effect in late 1783.   

The peacetime Congress had to grapple with large issues, especially the national debt and the huge western territories between the settled Atlantic seacoast and the Mississippi River.  

The peacetime Congress had to grapple with large issues, especially the national debt and the huge western territories between the settled Atlantic seacoast and the Mississippi River.

 

===National debt===

===National debt===

[[File:Dollar1776.jpg|thumb|1776 Continental currency|190px]]

[[File:Dollar1776.jpg|thumb|1776 Continental currency|190px]]

* Nevins, Allan. ''The American States During and After the Revolution, 1775-1789'' (1923)

* Nevins, Allan. ''The American States During and After the Revolution, 1775-1789'' (1923)

* Rakove, Jack N. ''The Beginnings of National Politics: An Interpretive History of the Continental Congress'' (1979)

* Rakove, Jack N. ''The Beginnings of National Politics: An Interpretive History of the Continental Congress'' (1979)

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* Commager, Henry Steele, and Richard Morris, eds. ''The Spirit of 'Seventy-Six: The Story of the American Revolution as Told    by Participants'' (1967); excellent collection of primary    sources

* Commager, Henry Steele, and Richard Morris, eds. ''The Spirit of 'Seventy-Six: The Story of the American Revolution as Told    by Participants'' (1967); excellent collection of primary    sources

====References====

====References====

 

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]