Annapolis Convention (1774–1776) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Annapolis ConventionAssembly of Freemen |
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| Type | |
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Unicameral provisional, Revolutionary legislature and government of Province of Maryland
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| History | |
| Founded | June 22, 1774 |
| Disbanded | January 28, 1776 |
| Preceded by | Maryland General Assembly (dissolved) |
| Succeeded by | Maryland General Assembly (New constitution) |
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Chair
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| Annapolis | |
| Constitution | |
| Declaration of the Association of the Freemen of Maryland | |
The Annapolis Convention was a special meeting of representatives from the different counties of Maryland. It acted as the government for the Maryland colony from 1774 to 1776, during the exciting time leading up to the American Revolution. After 1775, it was officially called the Assembly of Freemen. This group played a big part in Maryland's journey to becoming an independent state.
Contents
Why Did the Convention Start?
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In 1774, many groups called "committees of correspondence" were forming across the American colonies. These groups helped different colonies communicate and work together. They were especially focused on supporting Boston, a city facing tough new rules from the British government, including the closing of its port.
Massachusetts suggested a big meeting, a "Continental Congress," to plan how all the colonies could act together. To stop this, Maryland's British governor, Robert Eden, ended the regular Maryland Assembly on April 19, 1774. This was the last time the colonial assembly met under British rule.
However, the assembly members decided to meet again on their own in June, in Annapolis. They wanted to find out what the people in their counties thought and how they wanted to respond to the British actions. Over the next two and a half years, this new Convention met nine times. It became the main government for Maryland during this important time.
Key Meetings of the Convention
The Annapolis Convention held many important meetings, or "sessions," between 1774 and 1776. These meetings helped Maryland move towards independence.
The First Meetings in 1774
The very first meeting took place from June 22 to June 25, 1774. All sixteen counties of Maryland sent representatives, a total of 92 members. They chose Matthew Tilghman to lead their discussions.
During this short but busy meeting, they made several key decisions:
- Each county would have one vote on important matters.
- They sent messages of support and supplies to Boston, which was facing hardship.
- They decided the Convention would meet whenever needed.
- A special Committee of Correspondence was formed to keep communication open between meetings.
- They agreed to support trade boycotts if the larger Continental Congress asked for them.
- They elected people to represent Maryland at the first Continental Congress.
Other important meetings in 1774 happened in November and December.
Important Decisions in 1775
The Convention met again in 1775, from July 26 to August 14, and later from December 7, 1775, to January 28, 1776.
During these sessions, they created a very important document called the Declaration of the Association of the Freemen of Maryland. This declaration explained why Marylanders felt it was necessary to resist British rule. It stated that the British government was trying to tax the colonies without their permission and was using military force against them.
The declaration said that Marylanders believed they had to fight back to protect their freedom and property. They promised to work together to support the fight against British troops and to follow the rules set by the Continental Congress. They also agreed to maintain peace and order within Maryland, supporting local laws as long as they fit with their plan of opposition. This document showed Maryland's strong commitment to the American cause.
Creating a New Government in 1776
The Convention met for its final sessions in 1776, from May 8 to May 25, June 21 to July 6, and August 14 to November 11.
By the eighth session, the members realized that their temporary Convention was not enough to govern the province long-term. Maryland needed a more stable and organized government. So, on July 3, 1776, they decided to elect a new group. This new group would be tasked with writing Maryland's very first state constitution. This constitution would create a government "of the people only," without any ties to the British King or Parliament.
On August 1, all free men who owned property voted for delegates to this final convention. This ninth and last meeting was known as the Constitutional Convention of 1776. They successfully wrote the new constitution. When they finished and adjourned on November 11, the Annapolis Conventions were replaced by Maryland's new state government.
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