Continental Association facts for kids

This copy of the Association was signed by important leaders, including Thomas Jefferson.

The Continental Association, often called just the "Association", was a special plan created by the First Continental Congress in 1774. Its main goal was to stop trade with Great Britain. The Congress hoped that by stopping trade, they could pressure Britain to listen to the American colonies' complaints. They especially wanted Britain to get rid of the Intolerable Acts, which were unfair laws passed by the British Parliament. The Association aimed to change Britain's policies without breaking away from British rule completely.

What Was the Continental Association?

The Continental Association was a system for a large-scale trade boycott. A boycott means refusing to buy or sell goods from a certain place or person. In this case, the American colonies agreed to stop buying British goods. They also agreed to stop selling their own goods to Britain.

Why Was This Plan Created?

The colonies were upset about several new laws passed by Britain. These laws, known as the Intolerable Acts, were seen as very unfair. They punished the colony of Massachusetts especially, after the Boston Tea Party. The colonists felt their rights were being taken away. They believed that hurting Britain's economy would make the British government change its mind.

How Did the Boycott Work?

The boycott officially started on December 1, 1774. Local committees were set up in towns and villages across the colonies. These committees made sure that people followed the rules of the Association. They watched to see if anyone was still trading with Britain. If someone broke the rules, they might be publicly shamed or face other consequences from their community.

The Association had several rules:

• Colonists agreed not to import (buy) any goods from Great Britain or Ireland.
• They also agreed not to import certain goods from the British West Indies.
• They promised not to export (sell) any goods to Great Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies after September 10, 1775.
• The plan also encouraged colonists to save resources and avoid unnecessary spending. This included not buying expensive clothes or attending lavish parties.

Was the Association Successful?

For a while, the Continental Association was quite successful. Trade between the colonies and Britain dropped sharply. This caused economic problems for British merchants and manufacturers. The British government noticed the impact. In response, Britain passed the New England Restraining Act in 1775. This act tried to stop certain colonies from trading with any country other than Britain. It also limited their fishing rights.

However, the situation quickly changed. The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775. Once the war started, the need for a trade boycott became less important. The colonies were now fighting for their independence, which was a much bigger step than just trying to change British policies. The Association helped unite the colonies and showed them they could work together. This unity was very important for the war that followed.

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  This is page 3 of the original Articles of Association.