Conservatives, Moderates, and Radicals

Conservatives, moderates, and radicals all greatly shaped the first and second Continental Congresses. There were three groups of people that all had different views on how to deal the England, the “mother country.” These three groups were the radicals, moderates, and conservatives. Conservatives believed that they should not separate from England at all, but were not very happy about some of England’s idea of what role the colonies should play. Moderates judged that the bond they shared with Great Britain could easily be amended. Lastly, Radicals, the most persuasive of the three groups, essentially deemed that the English colonies should either break away from Britain or make Britain comply with their demands. Conservatives, moderates, and radicals all shaped the first and second Continental Congresses, but the Radicals were far more persuasive and in the end their ideals dominated because of the still present fact that their beliefs were put through.

The conservatives believed that the English settlements needed to remain part of Great Britain and not split apart and declare independence. There were some a few delegates in 1774 at the first continental congress that supported conservative ideals. These included: John Jay (from New York) and Joseph Galloway (from Pennsylvania). Even the conservatives did not completely have faith in British control. Galloway, for example, believed that the colonies should stay with Britain, but would have some political authority being able to veto some Acts Great Britain put forth. However, Galloway’s beliefs were not accepted by all, giving the radicals leeway for support for their beliefs.

Moderates felt that Great Britain and England could both stride to fix their relationship. One of the most famous moderates was the first president of the United States, George Washington. The moderate group was basically a place for middle ground between the two other groups radicals and conservatives. Moderates, however, did believe that the colonies should remain a part of Britain. The radicals were the only group that was fully for colonial independence.

The radicals were easily the most successful group of the three. Many famous people were a part of this faction including: John Adams and Patrick Henry. Radicals believed that the colonies had to either declare independence or make Britain give in to their demands. The radicals were extremely successful when it came to enforcing their morals. The main evidence of this is that the United States today is separate from the British rule. The radicals were the most persuasive and influential group in the first and second Continental Congresses because America did declare independence. Thereby the radicals were able to persuade enough people that their ideals were correct that their ethics were followed.

In conclusion, the three major factions of the first and second Continental Congresses were dominated by the radical faction. The chief evidence of this is that their beliefs were followed by the majority of the American public as apposed to the conservatives and moderates whose standards were not put through. The conservatives and moderates were not able to hold enough ground against the radicals to gain enough support for their principles to be pursued. Overall, the radicals were the most dominant group of the first and second Continental Congresses through their great effort to declare independence which was eventually successful.