Colonial Political Groups

Communicated grievances to villagers;
received broad support and other colonies copied this idea;
structure of political cooperation completely independent of royal government

55 delegates from 12 colonies;
convened in PhiladelphiaSept 5, 1774;

Created by First Continental Congress delegates before returning home;
intercolonial agreement to halt all commerce with Britain until Parliament repealed the Intolerable Acts;
authorized vast network of committtees to enforce nonimportation

Gathered May 1775 in Philadelphia;
took control of the war;
formed a Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander;
purchased military supples and issued paper money to pay for it;
assumed the powers of a sovereign government but refused to declare independence;

Believed that men and women were entitled to life, liverty, andthe pursuit of happiness;
convinced that independence would promote disorder;
believed rebels encouraged anarchy;
suspected Patriots demands for freedome were self serving;

Nickname given to Americans who would not surrender their rights without a fight;
burned in effigy the local stamp distributor;
tore down distributers office buildings;
demolished the elegant home of distributors associate, Lt. Govenor Hutchinson;
Persuaded colonial merchants to boycott British goods until Parliament repealed the Stamp Act;

Women drawn into politics during the boycott movement

Stood for a confederation of states rather than for the creation of a supreme national authority

Critics of the Constitution who tended to be somewhat poorer and less educated