Changes

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."  The Congress was a weak national government--there was no president or executive branch, and no judges; most business was handled by committees.

 

==Background==

==Background==

The idea of a central government for the 13 main British colonies in America dates to the [[Albany Congress]] of 1754. Led by [[Benjamin Franklin]] there were discussions about unity for more effective defense against the French and Indians. The Albany Congress drafted a plan that proposed a central government with the power to raise troops and levy taxes for colonial defense, to dispose of western lands and create new colonies, and to regulate Indian affairs. Colonial legislatures rejected the plan and Great Britain ignored it.

The idea of a central government for the 13 main British colonies in America dates to the [[Albany Congress]] of 1754. Led by [[Benjamin Franklin]] there were discussions about unity for more effective defense against the French and Indians. The Albany Congress drafted a plan that proposed a central government with the power to raise troops and levy taxes for colonial defense, to dispose of western lands and create new colonies, and to regulate Indian affairs. Colonial legislatures rejected the plan and Great Britain ignored it.

* Purcell, L. Edward, ed. ''Who Was Who in the American Revolution.'' (1993).  

* Purcell, L. Edward, ed. ''Who Was Who in the American Revolution.'' (1993).  

===Surveys===

===Surveys===

* Alden, John. ''George Washington: A Biography'' (1984)

* Ferling, John. ''Almost A Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Almost-Miracle-American-Victory-Independence/dp/0195382927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254611497&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Ferling, John ed., ''The World Turned Upside Down: The American Victory in the War of Independence'' (1988).  

* Higginbotham, Don. ''The war of American independence: military attitudes, policies, and practice, 1763-1789''(1971)  best scholarly overview of military affairs; [http://www.historyebook.org/subscribinginsts.html online through ACLS History E-Book]  

* Higginbotham, Don. ''The war of American independence: military attitudes, policies, and practice, 1763-1789''(1971)  best scholarly overview of military affairs; [http://www.historyebook.org/subscribinginsts.html online through ACLS History E-Book]  

* Jensen, Merrill.

* Jensen, Merrill; ''The New Nation: A History of the United States during the Confederation, 1781-1789'' (1950), a standard scholarly survey

* Lancaster, ed. Bruce. ''The American Revolution'' (American Heritage Library) (1985), heavily illustrated

* Lancaster, ed. Bruce. ''The American Revolution'' (American Heritage Library) (1985), heavily illustrated

* Miller, John C. '' Triumph of Freedom, 1775-1783'' (1948) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=14559136 online edition]

* Miller, John C. '' Triumph of Freedom, 1775-1783'' (1948) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=14559136 online edition]

* Morris, Richard.

* Morris, Richard. ''The Forging of the Union, 1781-1789'' (1788), a standard scholarly survey

* Nevins, Allan.

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

* Wood, Gordon.

* 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