1. Intolerable Acts:
In 1774, the British Parliament passed a series of punitive measures known as the Coercive Acts or the Intolerable Acts in response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the destroyed tea, the Massachusetts Government Act, which restricted the colony's self-governance, and the Quartering Act, which forced colonists to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers.
2. Quebec Act:
The Quebec Act of 1774 granted religious freedom and a degree of self-government to the French-speaking population in Canada, which was newly acquired by Britain after the French and Indian War. However, it extended the boundaries of Quebec to the Ohio River Valley, encroaching on lands claimed by several colonies. This further strained the relationship between the British government and the American colonists.
3. Colonial Unity:
The resistance to British policies inspired a sense of unity among the colonies. Committees of correspondence, which served as communication networks, were established to coordinate resistance efforts and exchange ideas. These committees played a crucial role in coordinating the colonies' response and promoting unity.
4. Virginia Resolves:
The Virginia House of Burgesses adopted a series of resolutions in response to the Intolerable Acts. The resolutions called for an immediate boycott of British goods, the creation of a colonial militia, and the formation of a Continental Congress to discuss and address the grievances with Britain.
5. Meeting in Philadelphia:
Based on the Virginia Resolves, delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies (excluding Georgia) convened in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. The First Continental Congress was a gathering of representatives from various colonies to discuss the common cause of resisting British policies and to coordinate a unified response.
The First Continental Congress marked a significant milestone in the American Revolution. It provided a platform for the colonies to come together, share their grievances, and collectively seek solutions to address their concerns with the British government.