Hist 412

-1

The Association Professor Burrows History 41.2 9/29/09 Jovenel Jeanty

-2 Since 1765, the British had been attempting to tax the colonies by imposing several taxes to pay for British expenditures. Due to these acts frustration increase throughout America. In 1773 when the Boston Tea Party took place Americans had basically declared that they have had enough. To punish the colonist the British Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts in 1774. It was this act along with a host of others that led to the First Continental Congress issuing the Continental Association. The objective of the First Continental Congress and those who sign it was not for a complete separation from Great Britain. The congress goals were to address three issues. They wanted to let the British Parliament know of the rights they were infringing on, the specifics acts that had caused this reprisal and to form a plan that would cause Britain to repeal these acts. The significance of this article is that it showed the ability of the colonies to join forces in order to overcome what they viewed as oppressive acts. The members of the First Continental Congress may not have realized it but the measures they took represented a step towards the Declaration of Independence. The beginning of the Continental Association starts with the writers referring to themselves as “the property of his majesty's subjects.” They also refer to themselves as British America. At this moment I can say that the Continental Association was never meant to incur the possibility of independence from Great Britain. They were not thinking of independence or revolution, but instead hoping to have parliament repeal the acts. Throughout the article there is no mention of a revolution. There is no call for arms or of any military action. So I think there was one question congress wanted to answer. How can they protect their rights without having to resort to violent means? I think that was the question many

-3 sought to answer. The solution congress came up with was to strike at Great Britain economically. I feel members of the Continental Congress decided this was the only reasonable solution to the situation at hand. It was in the interest of the colonies to speak their oppressor’s language. Parliament understood and spoke three languages. They were politically, economically and militarily. Since the colonies were not represented in Parliament there was no point in attacking Britain within the political frame. The thought of independence which would've probably required military action was already thrown out. So the only way to deal with these measures impose by Parliament was through economic sanctions. Non-importation, non-consumption, non-exportation and the enforcement of these policies by the colonies would demonstrate just how strong America had become. These measures, meant to stop Parliament from disrupting the colonies came to signify the ability of the colonies to organize and collaborate as a whole. The Continental Association states that they would “encourage frugality, economy and industry, and promote agriculture, arts and the manufactures of this country, especially that of wool and will discountenance and discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation such as gambling, stage plays and other frivolous entertainment.” Starting with the non-importation action stated in the Continental Association, this alone was huge. Basically whoever agreed with the Continental Association was willing to forgo any benefits they had received previously from this side of the trade. The fact that the colonies were willing to sacrifice their self-interest for the sake of all those involved shows to what extent the bond between the colonies had grown. I believe the colonies were somewhat aware as to how much power they had with the trade between them and Great Britain. They probably realized the measures taken may

-4 hurt the colonies but the damage done to Great Britain would be substantially greater. There is a sense that the colonies were saying to Great Britain that you guys need us more than we need you. By the time the Intolerable Acts was passed in 1774 America had grown and prospered. The colonies felt able to survive on their own. When I look at the non-importation aspect of the Continental Association what struck me is that it hints at economic independence. Whatever the colonies needed, whether food or clothing they would provide it themselves. For the moment the colonies in essence were reducing the dependency of the items from abroad and concentrating on production and consumption of goods within America. In order for the measures to succeed they had no choice but to rely on goods within. I feel many colonist saw these measures as a way of punishing the pockets of the British. Any way they can severely hurt the pockets of their oppressors and those who collaborated with them was deem as a viable strategy in thwarting the taxes. It was sought of a war of attrition. How long can the British watch their profits decrease before they reverse the acts place on the colonies? No longer being able to profit from the sell of their goods to America the colonist hope this would lead to Parliament backing off. At the same time though the colonist agreed they would have to endure the scarcity of goods. So in response to the scarcity of goods the colonist also planned to develop American agriculture and industry. With the non-consumption portion of the Continental Association the colonist sought to show folks they were serious. They were willing to take measures that showed everyone this was not a gimmick. Its one thing to impose a non-importation policy but it is another step to include a non-consumption policy. To not consume British goods is

-5 entirely on another level of defiance. It seems the colonist realize that there was a correlation between importation and consumption. The two went hand in hand. You can't consume something if you are unable to obtain it. The non-exportation portion was suspended. In the Continental Association it states “the earnest desire we have, not to injure our fellow subjects in Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, induces us to suspend a non-exportation, until the tenth day of September…” would lead one to believe that the colonist were sympathetic to those overseas who had nothing to do with Parliament. There probably was some consideration for their counterparts overseas who needed the colonies goods. The biggest reason for the suspension of the non-exportation portion to me was due to the fact that the colonist didn't want to hurt merchants in America. The goal was to punish Great Britain to the point they would not be able to accept the monetary losses. Many merchants probably might not have easily gone along if the non-exportation was imposed. Either way the fact that congress through in the notion of non-exportation showed they were willing to take the necessary steps they believe would address the situation. For those who went along with the Continental Association not only did they state the policies but they also wanted to enforce them. The most significant part of the Continental Association is how the colonies plan to enforce the non-importation and nonexportation policies. The colonies form local committees whose job it was to make sure that everyone complied with the rules. If someone didn't adhere to the rules they were publicly humiliated. Enforcement of the rules required a widely spread out effort among the colonies. Entrusting the enforcement of the rules to local committees displayed a sense of trust. It also showed the abilities of the colonies to develop their own local

-6 enforcements structures. Members of Congress didn't want anyone undermining the course of action that had been taken. The role of the Continental Association was to prepare a quick, effective and most of all they wanted a peaceful solution to their problems. At the same time the Continental Association represented a growing unity among the colonies to prevent Britain infringements on their sovereignty. It was the agreement between the First Continental Congress and members of the various colonies that led to them putting aside their differences and for the moment recognizing their common interests. This mobilization of the colonies represented a major achievement. Never before had the colonies created a united front. It seemed as if the colonies recognize only through mass organization could there voices be heard. If not heard at least they can see that each colony may have their separate identities but they had more to gain by uniting together. They had more in common than previously thought. They also together decided to adhere to a common course of action to resolve this matter. By showing the ability to unite and form a course of action suitable for the task at hand the colonies displayed the ability to head towards independence. Congress and those who agreed with the Continental Association were willing to emplace forces in order to make sure everyone complied with the laws. The colonist showed they were capable of forming and enforcing policies they created. Colonies would also cease all trade and dealings with any colony that failed to comply with the bans. Either you were with them or you were against them. This capability of unification by the Continental Association and its solid stance taken by colonies against Parliament made it a direct indication of what was going to be the next step. Without realizing it the colonist collective action gave signals of what was to come two years

-7 later.