The First Continental Congress.
A movement spread among the colonies to call a general congress represented by delegates from all the colonies. The delegates would decide what steps should be taken in overcoming the problems with the British government. In early September 1774, fifty-six delegates from twelve colonies met at Philadelphia. Many of the leading figures were present, including Samuel Adams and John Adams of Massachusetts, Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, and Joseph Galloway of Pennsylvania.
--After lengthy debates the First Continental Congress drew up a Declaration of Rights and Grievances which openly denounced the Intolerable Acts as being unjust and unconstitutional. The Congress also drew up a list of colonial rights: life, liberty, property ownership, the control of taxation by the colonial legislatures, and others.
--The delegates agreed to organize an American association that would buy no goods from England until the Intolerable Acts had been repealed by the British government. The Congress also urged the Americans to arm themselves. It was hoped that the petition would lead the king to settle the dispute. In the meantime, the Congress adjourned until the following May, agreeing to meet only if the colonial grievances were not settled.
--All of these events were building toward a climax of war with the British. The arrest of Samuel Adams and John Hancock had been ordered by the British, an event which resulted in the famous rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes. The battles of Lexington and Concord were fought a few days later. On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met and organized an army with George Washington as the commander-in-chief. The war had begun and the British would have to fight hard if they were to hold the colonies. Thus, the growing spirit for independence had led to the beginning of the Revolutionary War.