The Continental Association was a boycott agreement adopted by the First Continental Congress in 1774 as a response to the Coercive Acts passed by the British Parliament. It aimed to pressure the British government to repeal the Coercive Acts by organizing a unified, colonial-wide economic boycott of British goods.
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The Continental Association called for the colonies to cease all imports and exports with Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies starting on December 1, 1774.
The agreement prohibited the importation of any British goods, the exportation of any American commodities to Britain, and the purchase of any slave imported after December 1, 1774.
The Continental Association established local committees to enforce the boycott and monitor compliance, with penalties for violators ranging from public shaming to seizure of goods.
The boycott was largely successful, with the British economy suffering significant losses, leading Parliament to consider repealing the Coercive Acts.
The Continental Association helped to unify the colonies and foster a shared American identity in the face of British oppression.
Review Questions
Explain the purpose and key provisions of the Continental Association.
The Continental Association was a boycott agreement adopted by the First Continental Congress in 1774 as a response to the Coercive Acts passed by the British Parliament. Its primary purpose was to pressure the British government to repeal the Coercive Acts by organizing a unified, colonial-wide economic boycott of British goods. The agreement called for the colonies to cease all imports and exports with Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies starting on December 1, 1774, and prohibited the importation of any British goods, the exportation of any American commodities to Britain, and the purchase of any slave imported after that date. The Continental Association also established local committees to enforce the boycott and monitor compliance, with penalties for violators ranging from public shaming to seizure of goods.
Analyze the role of the Continental Association in fostering a shared American identity.
The Continental Association played a significant role in fostering a shared American identity in the face of British oppression. By coordinating a unified, colonial-wide economic boycott of British goods, the Continental Association helped to unify the Thirteen Colonies and demonstrate their collective willingness to resist British authority. The establishment of local enforcement committees further strengthened the sense of colonial solidarity, as communities worked together to ensure compliance with the boycott. Additionally, the success of the Continental Association in inflicting economic damage on the British Empire reinforced the colonies' belief in their ability to act as a united front, laying the groundwork for the eventual declaration of independence and the formation of the United States.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Continental Association in achieving its goal of repealing the Coercive Acts.
The Continental Association was largely successful in achieving its goal of pressuring the British government to repeal the Coercive Acts. The boycott of British goods imposed significant economic losses on the British economy, leading Parliament to consider repealing the unpopular legislation. While the Coercive Acts were not immediately repealed, the Continental Association demonstrated the colonies' willingness to engage in collective action and their ability to coordinate a unified response to British policies. This display of colonial unity and resolve laid the foundation for the American Revolution, ultimately resulting in the independence of the United States. Therefore, the Continental Association can be considered a crucial step in the path towards American independence, even though its immediate objective of repealing the Coercive Acts was not fully achieved.
A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 that closed the port of Boston, restricted colonial self-government, and strengthened the authority of the royal governor in Massachusetts.
A meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies in 1774 that coordinated a colonial response to the Coercive Acts and laid the groundwork for the American Revolution.
Economic Boycott: The collective refusal to buy or trade with a particular country or business as a form of protest or pressure.