1 What led to the meeting of the First Continental Congress? The convocation of the First Continental Congress was a response to new British taxes. Empire used them to decrease consequences from wars and other events that hurt economy. Some taxes, like Tea Act of 1773, gave British companies advantages over rivals and made them monopolist. Other documents created new taxes for colonies or increased existing rates. One of them was the Stamp Act of 1765, which made Americans to add paid stamps on many different papers, including informal documents. There were several serious protest actions (Boston Tea Party was one of the most famous from them). After them Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, that stimulated Americans to fight for their independence. They created "provincial congresses" that helped people to communicate bypassing the royal government’s prohibitions. The First Continental Congress was an event where colonies' representatives chose new policy.
What steps did Congress take? There were 55 representatives of 12 colonies in the First Continental Congress. Most of them called Intolerable and Coercive Acts unconstitutional and wanted to start a policy of nonexportation, if Britain won't provide better conditions for colonies. Agreement to establish the Continental Association and adopted Declaration of Rights and Grievances also were results of the Congress.
What did it expect to achieve? The goal of the First Continental Congress was to make American colonies more independent from British government. Colonies’ representatives wanted to create an effective bargaining chip that will force Empire to follow agreements. On of such measures was the Continental Association that forbade America to import British goods if country hadn’t acceded to conditions by September 1775. Colonists also wanted to decrease the Parliament political influence. They still were ready to be allegiant to George III, but only while he protects colonial rights.
2 What actions did the Second Continental Congress take in 1775 and 1776? The Second Continental Congress took functions that British government previously had. Colonists’ troops already fought with Crown and it took part in organization of military actions. Congress helped to create navy and took command of the Continental Army. Notably, it chose a troop's leader. Congress also participated in administrative tasks, like printing paper money and establishing a post office. Regardless of war actions, Americans wanted George III to protect imperial objects. Congress expressed this wish in the Olive Branch Petition that was approved on July 1775. But colonists were ready to fight for their independence at the same time. These sentiments were reflected in the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. Document also was approved by Congress in 1775.
George Washington as the commander of its army? The Second Continental Congress chose George Washington as a leader for the Continental army. New government understood that it’ll need a support from all colonies in this war. That’s why it decided to choose a Virginian Washington, instead of representative from New Englanders, which were in the majority of the patriot troops around Boston. This choice was suggested by John Adams.
Why did Congress declare independence in July 1776? Independence was declared in July 1776 because all voting members of Continental Congress voted for it and adopted the Declaration of Independence. But many events were preliminary to this step. On of them was a “Common Sense” – pamphlet published by Thomas Pain. This document appeared in 1776 and become really popular. It denounced King George and made a call for fight for independence. Americans also won several serious battles with British troops. All this events created a basis for the proclamation of independence in July 1776.
3 How widespread was the popular backing for the Constitution, and what accounts for its ratification? After all new Constitution was ratified by all 13 American colonies over the December 1787 to May 1790 period. Former colonies needed more organized and powerful government. But the attitude to this document was different depending on region. Constitution gave government more levers of pressure on trade. So there often was an opposition in towns that depended on commerce. Non-English Europeans also feared that Constitution will give them less rights than former British. That’s why Scots-Irish Americans and other such groups often were against the document’s ratification.
Constitution was supported by well-educated, rich white Americans, which were in the majority of Federalists. Their opposition, called Antifederalists, was against its ratification, because they thought it was better for states to have own sovereignty. But this group didn’t have enough money and influence to support their ideas.
Delaware, New Jersey and Georgia were states which ratified Constitution by a solid vote. There were different balances in other regions, but all of them chose it after all. In some states, like Massachusetts and North Carolina, government got a support with help of a bill of rights.
4 Who were the Federalists and the Republicans, and how did they differ over the meaning of liberty and the power of the national? Federalists were politicians who supported the Constitution and an idea of centralized federal government. This group believed that it was time to abandon the Articles of Confederation. Federalists had support from holders of national debt, merchants, artisans, successful farmers and other such social groups. According to them the bigger the republic was the better it could safeguard personal freedoms. Federalists also didn’t think that Constitution should have a bill of rights. This term existed and after Washington’s first term ended. Federalists still supported the Constitution and Hamilton’s program. This group included members from more privileged social groups and churches.
Republicans were an opposition. This party brought together Americans, which had doubts about market economy's benefits and Federalists' decisions. While Federalists supported the industrial branches, Republicans were for the agricultural. That’s why they got the most support from Southern and Western planters and farmers. Republicans thought that Federalists’ military, economical and social policy was a threat for regional autonomy and individual liberties. They also protested against Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) that gave foreigners less freedom of speech. Republicans were against Hamilton’s economic program and thought Federalists’ politic was corrupted and gave more benefits to manufacturers instead of agrarians.
Federalists wanted to save connections with Britain, while Republicans wanted to become closer to France. One of the steps to create a "new union" was a support of French revolution. Federalists kept neutrality in this situation. They agreed that American people can create own government, but believed that only "elite" has rights for this role. Opposition wanted more power for people, who didn't have much money, relations or political influence. Republicans proclaimed that different social groups should have more equal rights.
