Continental Congress Supported Reading
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Grade 8 U.S. History Supported Reader
The Continental Congress
Part 1 of 2
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Bold Blue = Key Vocabulary [italics] = Pronunciation & Spanish Cognate 💡 Key concepts bolded for easy reading
1. The First Continental Congress (September 1774)
Philadelphia, PA
During the ten-year period between 1763 and 1773, the colonists in America were punished by Great Britain's Proclamation Line (boundary banning westward migration), unfair taxes, and unwanted soldiers. In 1774, Great Britain closed Boston Harbor. Colonists feared that if they didn't act soon, Great Britain would take complete control of their lives forever.
On September 5, 1774, twelve of the thirteen colonies sent representatives [rep-rih-ZEN-tuh-tivz • delegados / people who speak and vote for their colony] to Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia to decide what to do. Key leaders included Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and future presidents George Washington and John Adams.
All delegates agreed British taxes were unfair, but they disagreed on solutions. Pennsylvania and New York sent delegates to negotiate peace. Georgia did not send a representative because it was under attack by Native Americans and relied on British military help. Other delegates wanted complete separation. In the end, they voted to halt all trade with Great Britain until the Intolerable Acts [in-TAH-ler-uh-buhl • harsh punishment laws / leyes intolerables] were repealed [rih-PEELD • canceled / revocadas]. They petitioned King George III to abolish [uh-BAH-lish • end / abolir] the laws and told colonists to begin training for war.
2. The Beginning of the Revolutionary War (April 1775)
Lexington & Concord, MA
On April 18, 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired in Lexington, Massachusetts. British soldiers dressed in bright red uniforms marched toward Lexington and Concord searching for hidden colonial weapons and gunpowder. Fortunately, Paul Revere warned the colonial minutemen [MIN-it-men • citizen fighters ready on a minute's notice / milicianos listos al minuto] that the British were coming. In a brief skirmish, three Redcoats and two minutemen were killed.
The British soldiers retreated along the 16-mile journey back to Boston. Minutemen concealed behind trees and stone fences fired continuously. Over 200 British Redcoats and 90 American minutemen were wounded or killed during the battle.
British Redcoats Full-time professional British army; marched to seize colonial munitions.
Colonial Minutemen Local volunteers and farmers; defended town gunpowder reserves.
Early American Government • Supported Edition Turn to Page 2: Second Continental Congress & Patriots vs. Loyalists
Part 2
Wartime Command & Divided Colonists
May 1775 & Beyond
3. The Second Continental Congress (May 10, 1775)
Philadelphia State House
Following Lexington and Concord, colonists realized they needed unified organization to defeat Great Britain. On May 10, 1775, sixty-five representatives from all thirteen colonies met at the State House in Philadelphia to assume command of the war. Influential new delegates joined the assembly, including John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and future president Thomas Jefferson.
Representative John Adams advocated forming a unified Continental Army with troops drawn from every colony. The Congress selected George Washington to be Commander-in-Chief. Washington accepted the demanding assignment.
John Adams Proposed Army
G. Washington Army Commander
Ben Franklin Respected Diplomat
Th. Jefferson New Delegate
4. Soldiers, Camp Hardships, and Divided Loyalties
Boston Camps
General Washington faced difficult challenges upon taking charge of military camps near Boston. The colonial militia [muh-LIH-shuh • milicia / citizen volunteer army] was poorly trained, lacked weapons, and lived in unsanitary camps. To win, the army required funds, supplies, training, and above all, loyalty.
Colonists held sharply opposing beliefs about which side to support:
Patriots
[patriotas]
- Supported fight against Britain.
- Volunteered as soldiers.
- Raised money and supplies.
Fought for Liberty
Loyalists
[lealistas / Tories]
- Supported Great Britain.
- Enlisted in British Army.
- Spied and raided Patriot farms.
Loyal to the Crown
Neutral Colonists
[neutrales]
- Did not take any side.
- Refused to fight in the war.
- Wanted to keep peace and safety.
Refused to Fight
Key Understandings for Your Google Form Grade 8 Synthesis Frames
1. Comparing the Congresses: The First Congress drafted petitions and trade boycotts, while the Second Congress formed the Continental Army and led the war.
2. Washington's Diagnosis: In Boston, General Washington found the militia was poorly trained, lacked weapons, and had unsanitary camps.
Early American Government • SPED & ML Supported Reader Next: Complete your comprehension questions in the Google Form
