After the "Boston Tea Incident", the British authorities stepped up their rule in the North American colonies. Since March 1774, the United Kingdom has issued five high-handed decrees in a vain attempt to bring the colonies to submission with high-handed methods, but on the contrary, they have aroused the indignation of the North American people.
After the promulgation of the five high-pressure laws, the people of North America have held protest rallies, strikes, and market strikes. They also trained militias and prepared munitions to prepare for armed struggle for national independence. In June 1774, Samir Adams drafted a convention calling on the people of North America to boycott British goods. Under the leadership of Jefferson, the Congress of Virginia called on the colonies to unite and fight together, and proposed to hold a meeting attended by representatives of the colonies to "discuss the unfortunate status quo of the colonies." From September 5 to October 26, 1774, a joint conference of colonies was held in Philadelphia, known in history as the "First Continental Congress." Except for the Georgia colony that did not send representatives due to various obstructions by the governor, 55 representatives from the other 12 colonies attended the meeting.
Some of these representatives are elected by the colonial assembly, some are elected by the local communications committee, and some are directly voted by local residents' groups. From a class standpoint, most of them are representatives of landlords, capitalists, and plantation owners. From the perspective of political orientation, it can be roughly divided into two factions: the bourgeois democrats represented by Samir Adams and Batrick Henry; and the big democrats represented by George Washington and John Adams. The bourgeoisie, moderates of plantation owners and conservatives represented by John Jay.
The Continental Congress launched a fierce debate on the issue of national independence. The democrats advocated that the colony completely break with the suzerain and immediately begin military operations, while the conservatives advocated permanent union with Britain. During the Continental Congress, people from all over North America held rallies everywhere and passed resolutions to show their attitude towards the current situation. The meeting passed a "Declaration of Rights" requesting the British government to abolish various economic restrictions and five high-pressure laws on the colonies. It is reiterated that taxes cannot be levied on colonies without the consent of the colonial people. The colonies are required to exercise autonomy. The meeting also decided to prohibit Britain from importing or exporting any goods to the United Kingdom, and prohibit the purchase of British goods, before fulfilling these requirements. Those who violate the prohibition will be treated as "enemy of freedom in the Americas." At the same time, local communications committees are authorized to supervise the implementation. The meeting passed a petition submitted to the United Kingdom, expressing continued loyalty to the British king, and no independent request was made. Before the meeting ended, it was decided to hold the second Continental Congress in May of the following year.
The convening of the "First Continental Congress" showed that the people of North America had begun to unite to oppose British colonial rule, but it also exposed a certain weakness of the Continental Congress.