As a result of British ruler King George III's tyrannical grasps for power, the colonists decided to take things into their own hands and convened the First Continental Congress on September 1774 in Philadelphia. This was the first attempt to put an end to the King's desperation. Here, colonists signed the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. This stated that the Intolerable Acts of King George were null and void in the colonies and until the colonists received representation in the Parliament, all laws passed on their behalf would not be recognized. .
Realizing the potential decrease in revenue due to taxes that would no longer be collected, the British government was not in support of the action that the colonists took. It was not in England's best interest for their people to migrate to the new land then separate themselves from the mother country, despite the fact that the intentions of the colonists were to escape. .
Over the next year, tensions between England and the colonists accelerated. In Lexington, British militia and colonial militia crossed paths and fired at each other. This came to be known as "the shot heard around the world." This began the American Revolution. .
Until the spring of 1776, most colonists thought they were fighting unjust laws, not for independence. Most were reluctant to attempt a final break with England. If they lost, they could be tried for treason. By June, the colonists and the delegates at the convention had enough of British oppression. A resolution was introduced on behalf of the entire congress, stating that these "United States are and of right ought to be, free and independent states." On July 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson signed a declaration in support of the resolution. This became known as the Declaration of Independence. .
The Declaration served three purposes. It established the principle of equality for all. It enumerated the colonists" reasons for separating from England.
