Massachusetts Provincial Congress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Massachusetts Bay Provincial Congress of Deputies |
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| Type | |
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Unicameral Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay
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| History | |
| Founded | October 5, 1774 |
| Disbanded | October 25, 1780 |
| Preceded by | Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay (disbanded) |
| Succeeded by | General Court of Massachusetts |
| Leadership | |
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Governor
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President of the Congress
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John Hancock
1774-1775 |
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Joseph Warren
1775 |
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James Warren
1775-1780 |
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Clerk/Secretary
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| Structure | |
| Authority | Governmental authority in Patriot controlled territory in Massachusetts |
| Meeting place | |
| 1st Congress: Salem, Concord, Cambridge 2nd Congress': Cambridge, Concord, Watertown 3rd Congress: Watertown |
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| Constitution | |
| Massachusetts Bay Charter | |
The Massachusetts Provincial Congress was a special temporary government. It was created in 1774 in the area known as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. This happened at the very beginning of the American Revolution.
This new government took control of the parts of Massachusetts that were rebelling against British rule. After the British left Boston in March 1776, the Congress governed the entire province. It continued to lead Massachusetts for several years after the colony declared its independence in 1776.
People soon wanted a more permanent government. The Congress tried to create a new constitution in 1778, but it failed. Then, a new group met in 1779-1780 and successfully wrote a constitution for the state. The Provincial Congress ended in October 1780 when new elections were held under this new constitution.
Contents
What Was the Massachusetts Provincial Congress?
The Massachusetts Provincial Congress was a provisional government. This means it was a temporary government set up during a time of change. It was created by people in Massachusetts who wanted to govern themselves. They no longer wanted to be ruled by the British.
This Congress was a Unicameral body, meaning it had only one main group of lawmakers. It acted as the main authority for the Patriots in Massachusetts. These were the colonists who supported the American Revolution.
Why Was It Formed?
Before the Revolution, Massachusetts was governed by the General Court of Massachusetts. This was the official government under British rule. However, the British government passed laws that angered the colonists. One of these was the Massachusetts Government Act.
This act made it harder for colonists to govern themselves. It also disbanded, or officially closed, the General Court. Because of this, the people of Massachusetts needed a new way to govern. So, they formed the Provincial Congress to take charge.
How It Governed
The Provincial Congress first met on October 5, 1774. It acted as the real government for the rebellious areas. It made decisions and organized efforts against the British. The Congress met in different towns. These included Salem, Concord, and Cambridge. Later, it also met in Watertown.
Important leaders of the Congress included John Hancock, Joseph Warren, and James Warren. They served as presidents of the Congress. These leaders helped guide Massachusetts through the early years of the Revolution.
Leading Up to Independence
The Congress played a key role in preparing Massachusetts for war. It organized militias, which were groups of citizen soldiers. It also gathered supplies and made plans for defense. These actions were crucial for the battles that soon followed.
After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Massachusetts officially became an independent state. The Provincial Congress continued to govern during this time. It helped Massachusetts transition from a British colony to a self-governing state.
Creating a New Government
As the war continued, people realized they needed a more permanent government. The temporary Congress was not meant to last forever. There were growing calls for a written constitution. A constitution is a set of rules for how a government will work.
The Congress tried to write a constitution in 1778. However, this attempt did not succeed. People felt it wasn't good enough. They wanted a constitution that was created by a special convention, not just by the Congress itself.
The End of the Congress
Because of this, a new group was formed. This group was called the Constitutional Convention. It met from 1779 to 1780. Their job was to write a strong and lasting constitution for Massachusetts.
They successfully created the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780. This new constitution set up a permanent government for the state. With the new constitution in place, the Provincial Congress was no longer needed. It officially ended in October 1780, after new elections were held under the new state government.
