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First Continental Congress Essay example

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The First Continental Congress The American dream is built upon a foundation of struggles and gains, along with more struggles. A look back to early American History provides one with a timeline that seems endless and full of surprises. The First Continental Congress serves as one of those timeline markers and is a great example of the American way. Being one of the first meetings ever between the colonists, The First Continental Congress laid one of the first bricks into the foundation of America.
The First Continental Congress made its mark in history on September 5,1774 in Philadelphia’s Carpenters Hall. According to the u-s-history.com website, “The idea of such a meeting was advanced a year earlier by Benjamin Franklin, but …show more content…

Independence was not the issue at this meeting, rather the members in Congress sought to “right the wrongs” that the colonies had endured. Along with that redemption, the members of the First Continental Congress sought to gain a voice in London, something they were denied of.
One cannot truly grasp the magnitude of this Continental Congress until we look at the prominent figures in attendance during this time. There were 55 delegates in Carpenter’s Hall but perhaps the most prominent figures include, “George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John Jay and John Dickinson.” The delegates were mainly those of high social standing and many made their living in the fields of “trade, farming and law.” Communication between the colonies was very minimal, therefore many delegates were meeting for the first time and all would have different opinions and issues.
Members of the First Continental Congress did not suffer from lack of communication, as “The first few weeks were consumed in discussion and debate. The colonies had always, up to this time, acted as independent entities.” With that many delegates had to overcome distrust and learn to work as a whole body rather than individuals with different agendas.
The agenda at the First Continental Congress was not completely clear in the eyes of the delegates. Leadership, during this time, was crucial and once this issue was

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