Explore how the First Continental Congress of 1774 unified thirteen separate colonies through economic warfare and political coordination, setting the stage for American independence before shots were ever fired.

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Imagine if 56 men gathered in a room today could completely reshape a nation's future—that's exactly what happened in 1774 when the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia's Carpenters' Hall. While we often focus on the Declaration of Independence, it was actually this earlier gathering that laid the groundwork for American independence. For seven weeks, representatives from twelve colonies (Georgia was the only holdout) debated how to respond to Britain's punishing Intolerable Acts following the Boston Tea Party. You might be surprised to learn that many delegates, including George Washington, weren't initially seeking independence—they were attempting to secure their rights as British subjects. The Congress's most powerful weapon? Not muskets, but economics. Their Continental Association created the first coordinated colonial boycott of British goods, slashing imports by a staggering 97% in just one year. As we explore this pivotal moment, you'll discover how these early revolutionaries transformed thirteen separate colonies into a unified force that would soon change world history.