The continental congress was the government of 13 American colonies and later the US, it lasted from 1774 to 1789. The first congress met in 1774 in reaction to the coercive Acts imposed by the British government on the colonies. The second congress met after the American Revolutionary War(1775-83) had begun and declared America's independence from Britain and after five years the congress passed the first national constitution(Articles of Confederation) to govern the country. The second continental congress tried to prevent war with Great Britain by sending a message to King George and asked him to consider their problems and try to find a solution.
The government raised about one-third of the money through taxes, including a progressive income tax. The rest of the money was through public borrowing by selling "Liberty Loan" and "Victory Loan" bonds.
