OCR Specification focus:
‘The move towards independence 1774–1776 including the first and second Continental Congresses, Declaration of Independence (1776)’
The years 1774–1776 marked the decisive transformation of colonial protest into open demands for separation, as British policy and colonial resistance became irreconcilable.
Context of 1774
By 1774, the relationship between Britain and its American colonies had reached a breaking point. The Intolerable Acts (1774), passed in response to the Boston Tea Party, intensified resentment. Colonists argued that these acts violated their rights, while Britain viewed them as necessary punishment for rebellion. This created an urgent need for intercolonial cooperation, laying the groundwork for organised resistance.
The First Continental Congress (1774)
Purpose and Background
Convened in Philadelphia, September 1774.
Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia, where delegates from twelve colonies gathered for the First Continental Congress in 1774. The Georgian façade reflects the civic setting of early intercolonial politics. This venue grounds students’ understanding of the Congress in a real, preserved space. Source
Attended by delegates from 12 colonies (excluding Georgia).
Aimed to address grievances against British policy, particularly the Intolerable Acts.
Marked the first united political response across the colonies.
Actions Taken
Issued the Declaration and Resolves, stating that colonists were entitled to the rights of Englishmen.
Rejected Parliament’s authority to legislate for the colonies, except in regulation of trade.
Called for the Continental Association to implement a boycott of British goods.
Agreed to reconvene if grievances remained unresolved.
Continental Association: An agreement among the colonies to halt imports from Britain and eventually stop exports, designed to pressure Parliament into repealing coercive measures.
The Congress did not yet call for independence but established the precedent of collective colonial governance.
Escalation of Hostilities (1775)
Tensions boiled over before reconciliation could be achieved.
Lexington and Concord
April 1775: British troops marched to seize colonial arms in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.
Skirmishes broke out, leading to the first deaths of the Revolutionary conflict.
The clashes demonstrated that compromise was becoming unlikely.
The Siege of Boston
Colonial militias surrounded Boston, cutting off British forces.
The Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775), though a British victory, proved colonial forces could inflict heavy casualties.
These developments gave urgency to the second meeting of the Congress.
The Second Continental Congress (1775)
Formation and Purpose
Convened in May 1775, again in Philadelphia.
The Assembly Room at Independence Hall, Philadelphia — the chamber where the Second Continental Congress met and where the Declaration of Independence was signed on 4 July 1776. The arrangement of Windsor chairs, green-baize tables, and the presiding chair evoke the room’s original deliberative function. Source
Functioned as a de facto national government, coordinating military and political strategy.
Key Actions
Appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, establishing unified military leadership.
Issued the Olive Branch Petition (July 1775), seeking reconciliation with King George III.
Simultaneously authorised preparations for war, demonstrating divided aims among delegates.
Olive Branch Petition: A final colonial appeal to the Crown professing loyalty while requesting an end to hostile policies; it was rejected by King George III.
The King’s rejection, combined with Britain’s declaration of the colonies in rebellion, shifted colonial opinion towards independence.
Shift in Colonial Political Thought
Between 1775 and 1776, attitudes hardened. Pamphlets, debates, and petitions helped shape popular opinion.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (January 1776) argued for complete independence, attacking monarchy as incompatible with liberty.
Increasing military clashes convinced many colonists that negotiation was futile.
The Congress began to explore the legal and philosophical justifications for independence.
Influences on Thought
The writings of John Locke emphasised natural rights and government by consent.
The belief in self-determination resonated with colonists increasingly alienated from Parliament and the Crown.
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
Drafting and Adoption
By mid-1776, colonial leaders concluded that independence was inevitable.
On 4 July 1776, the Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
Key Features
Asserted that all men are created equal with rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Justified revolution by declaring that governments exist by consent of the governed.
Listed grievances against King George III, portraying him as a tyrant.
Declared the colonies to be “free and independent states.”
Declaration of Independence: The formal statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress in July 1776, asserting the colonies’ separation from Britain and outlining principles of self-government.
Immediate Consequences
Transformed the conflict into a war for national independence rather than redress of grievances.
United colonies under a shared political purpose.
Sought to secure foreign support, particularly from France, by presenting the struggle as one for universal liberty.
Summary of the Move Towards Independence 1774–1776
The First Continental Congress created a platform for colonial unity and resistance.
Military clashes in 1775 made reconciliation unlikely.
The Second Continental Congress took on governmental functions, balancing diplomacy with preparation for war.
The Declaration of Independence (1776) crystallised the break from Britain, transforming colonial protest into a revolutionary movement for sovereignty.
FAQ
Georgia was the youngest and most vulnerable colony on the frontier, still reliant on British military protection against Native American groups and Spanish Florida.
The colony’s leadership hesitated to antagonise Britain for fear of losing support, and loyalty to the Crown was stronger than in other colonies. As a result, Georgia abstained, though it later joined the revolutionary effort.
The Continental Association encouraged colonists to stop importing British goods and later cease exports.
Merchants and planters faced economic pressure as trade shrank.
Local Committees of Inspection monitored compliance, heightening community tensions.
Women played a visible role by producing homespun goods and boycotting British textiles, making resistance a household as well as political effort.
Washington, a Virginian, was chosen deliberately to broaden support beyond New England.
His appointment reassured southern colonies that the war effort would not remain a regional struggle. Washington’s reputation as a gentleman planter and experienced military officer also helped establish legitimacy and authority for the Continental Army.
The King’s rejection of the Olive Branch Petition and his declaration that the colonies were in rebellion convinced many moderates that compromise was impossible.
By framing the conflict as treason, George III undermined colonial hopes of reform within the empire. This royal stance radicalised public opinion, pushing formerly hesitant leaders towards independence.
Colonial leaders recognised that declaring independence would strengthen their case for foreign support, especially from France and Spain.
Without a formal break, European powers were unlikely to risk open alliance against Britain. By presenting the struggle as one for universal liberty, the Declaration aimed to secure crucial diplomatic and military aid abroad.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
In which city did the First Continental Congress meet in 1774?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for identifying the correct city: Philadelphia.
No credit for incorrect spellings that make the answer unclear.
Maximum: 2 marks (1 for identification, 1 for accuracy in context).
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain two reasons why the Declaration of Independence was adopted in July 1776.
Mark Scheme:
Award up to 3 marks for each reason, with explanation.
Indicative content may include:
Failure of reconciliation efforts (e.g. Olive Branch Petition rejected by King George III) leading colonists to see independence as the only option. (1 mark for identification, 2 marks for explanation of significance).
Influence of political thought and pamphlets (e.g. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, Enlightenment ideas of Locke) encouraging colonists to reject monarchy and embrace self-government. (1 mark for identification, 2 marks for explanation).
Escalation of hostilities (e.g. Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill) convinced colonists that Britain intended to use force, making independence urgent. (1 mark for identification, 2 marks for explanation).
Maximum: 6 marks.
Answers should show understanding of both factual detail and explanation of significance to gain full credit.
