CARD 6 - Continental Congresses
The Continental Congresses (1774-1789) began as a coordinated effort to resist the British. With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the Congress became the institution responsible for managing the struggle for American independence. Below are listed some of the main issues dealt with and actions taken by the Continental Congresses:
- Makes rules for plundering enemy ships
- Provides for prisoners of war
- Reorganizes the army
- Declares independence
- Warns: "The British Are Coming"
- Boosts public morale
- Publicly threatens the British
- Discusses slavery in the Western Territories
- Decides how to divide the Western Territories
- Determines how new states can enter the Union
- Tries to appease southern Indians
- Increases the army in the Northwest
- A cash-poor Congress decides to strive for peace with the Indians
- Tries to improve poor attendance by delegates
- Pleads with the states to contribute money to the national treasury
- Lack of commerce control between America and foreign nations
- Tries to revise the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitutional Convention drafts a new Constitution
- The Continental Congress institutes a new Government
