Colonial Unity Essay

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Growing Colonial Unity 1. Early Attempts — In the 1600s some colonies banded together temporarily to defend themselves (against Native Americans) forming the New England Confederation, but the experiment of a union failed. 2. The Albany Plan — Franklin's Albany Plan of Union called for annual meetings to deal with issues of common concern, but the colonial governments turned down the plan. 3. The Stamp Act Congress — Harsh tax and trade policies caused colonists to meet to denounce the practices and to organize boycotts and other acts of protest. A boycott is the refusal to buy or sell an opponent's goods in order to influence his/her behavior. Prepared Declaration of Rights and Grievances against the British policies and sent it to…show more content…
March 3, 1770, Boston Massacre took place, with British troops firing into a jeering crowd, killing five. The First Continental Congress 1. In 1774 the Intolerable Acts caused colonists to send delegates to a meeting (First Continental Congress) to discuss matters and to make plans for action. 2. By 1776 the colonists' unhappiness with taxation without representation came as a surprise to the British King. The Congress sent a Declaration of Rights to the King, protesting taxes and restrictions. The Second Continental Congress 1. In May 1775 Second Continental Congress met, but by now the Revolution had begun. Notable newcomers included Franklin and Hancock. Hancock was selected president. 2. The Congress organized a government and established an army, led by George Washington. 3. The Second Continental Congress served as the first national government until the Articles of Confederation went into effect. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to March 1, 1781. 4. The Congress was unicameral, exercising both legislative and executive powers. Each state had one vote. Executive functions were handled by committees of delegates. The Declaration of…show more content…
Revolutionary War ended with Treaty of Paris in 1783. 2. Disputes among the States highlighted the need for a stronger, more effective National Government. Bickering, distrust and jealously. Several entered treaties with foreign governments, although prohibited. 3. Economic chaos also resulted from a weak central government. Minted their own money, taxed each other's goods. Debts went unpaid. Violence broke out in several places, including Shay's Rebellion which was a protest against the loss of their property to tax collectors. 4. Demands grew for stronger government. Movement grew in 1785. The Meetings at Mount Vernon and Annapolis 1. Maryland and Virginia, plagued by trade problems, agreed to a trade conference for the purpose of recommending a federal plan for regulating commerce. First met at Alexandria, VA in March, 1785. Moved to Mount Vernon at Washington's invitation. Virginia Assembly called to a "joint meeting of all the States to recommend a federal plan for regulating commerce." Joint meeting set for Annapolis, MD to discuss trade, but only 5 of 13 States attended. Another meeting called for
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