WORDS OF WISDOM FROM YOUR CRISIS DIRECTOR Dear delegates, I wish you a warm welcome to Marianopolis College and the MariMUN conference of 2021! I hope that you are all looking forward to an exciting and intense Model United Nations experience at MariMUN 2012. For this crisis committee, we have chosen to begin this committee in the year 1775, at the beginning of the Second Continental Congress. Research and debate of this topic will be a great add-on to whatever knowledge you already have on the subject. Numerous issues are at hand, but it will be up to you delegates to determine the future of the American colonies; the very colonies you love and represent. Before continuing, a few introductions are in order. My name is Hamid Sadr and | will be your crisis director. | was born in Iran, and I am presently a second year science student at Matianopolis. In addition to Model UN, | teach snowboarding during the winter and I'm a lifeguard during the summer. Working by my side are your knowledgeable, and helpful assistant crisis director, Abhinav Gupta, and chair, Daniel Stysis. Being a Selwyn House graduate and now a second year Matianopolis student, Abhinav has been participating in MUN conferences for numerous years. His physique, presence and attitude make him someone you cannot miss - both in and out of committee. Daniel Stysis is a Matianopolis alumnus, now studying at McGill University majoring in Honors Political Science while doing 2 minors in Economics and Psychology. Daniel's dedication and passion when it comes to MUN make him an exceptional addition to the team and we are grateful that he has returned to Marianopolis once again to lend a hand in this once in a lifetime experience. >> Cont. page 2 MARIMUN 2023 secretary marimun@hotmail.com EO ABHINAV GUPTA DYN) FELICIA MAZZARELLO Pte PyeUNE DEVANGI PATELAll three of us have either learnt the beauty of Model UN or further developed that already existing enthusiasm at Marianopolis, and we hope that it will be no different for you at this year’s MariMUN conference. Whether a first time "MUNer” or an experienced delegate, you are in for an interesting adventure. I recommend that all delegates read the background guide in its entirety, as it give youa basic understanding of the issue and the focus of this committee. However, do not leave the background guide as your only source of information: again, this document will only cover the basics of the Second Continental Congress. Further research will also allow you to understand how the issues at hand affect your character in a unique way. And finally, do not forget that this is a crisis committee and that things do not necessarily have to follow the path of history. It all depends on you Thope you guys are as ecstatic for MariMUN 2021 as | am! Good luck with your preparation, and | hope to see youall in February! Yours truly, Seyed Hamid Sadr Ghayeni Crisis Director WHAT DO! NEED TO PREPARE BEFORE MARIMUN ? > You will have to write a position paper that must be sent to secretary.marimun @hotmail.com by February 20" at the latest. This text should be a basic description of your character's point of view on the issue of whether independence from Britain is the best solution to help the a3 colonies. Keep in mind that you are not only a character, but also a representative of a colony. The length of the texts up to you: you can write a paragraph or a page, depending on how much you feel you need to explain. > Researching your position paper will help you understand your character and your colony's perspective. The research does not have to be extremely in- depth or time consuming; once you feel like you have a good understanding of who you will be representing and you have written your position paper, you are ready. MARIMUN 2023 secretary marimun@hotmail.com 2Aletter from John Hancock Colonial Delegates, Ever since our forefathers departed for the New World, it seems that our birthright as Englishmen has been lost. The fruits of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 have established a constitutional monarchy in England, yet these same privileges have not spilled over into the British colonies, economically and militarily dependent and politically subordinate to the mother-country* We remain unrepresented in the British House of Commons and subject to the monarch's prerogative through imperial officers. However, over a century and a half, a mix of issues of practicality, commercial conflict of interest, puritan mentality, and the philosophical contributions of the Enlightenment built up internal pressure for greater colonial self-government. The child, in the imperial parent-child relationship, is approaching maturity after years of rebellious teenage years. Protests and riots — a which were limited to the destruction of private property or tarring and feathering of customs officers* intermittently erupted in the colonies in response to harsh imperial policies. For instance, unjust prosecution of imperial officers, forceful military recruitment, and a repressive anti-smuggling measures were seldom passively accepted by the colonial demos.? To the detriment of a distant and misunderstanding British authority, colonial legislatures having been gaining legitimacy and demanding constitutional recognition >> CONT. next page DEFINITIONS Glorious Revolution: The overthrow of King James Il, the end of monarchical absolutism in England, the establishment of parliamentary democracy, the introduction of the first ever Bill of Rights, and the political alienation of Roman Catholics, distrusted by true Protestants Constitutional Monarchy: The Monarch’s power is constrained by a Constitution, an elected and representative legislature, and strictly ceremonial roles. Puritan mentality: Pure Christian (protestant), in contrast to the Catholics Enlightenment: an intellectual movement of the 18 century, which stresses the primacy of human reason in legitimacy and authority. Colonial legislatures: our local elected assemblies rivaling the legitimacy of Parliament in London Constitutional Recognition: a hoped for end to our colonial legislature's subordination to the King andthe distant Parliament. MARIMUN 2023 secretary marimun@hotmail.com 3The end of the Seven Years War with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 marks the catalyzing dent in the divergence of the imperial and our colonial mentalities. On one hand, Britain became imperially conscious. As Britain emerged triumphant, it acquired a sense of mission, and the British Parliament usurped the renewed assertiveness, as evident in the Declaratory Act of 1766.* With a depleted treasury and new administrative units across the three oceans, revenue was necessary. It was only self-evident that the secured colonies, of yet greater strategic importance, would share in the cost of the imperial debtS On the other hand, the older colonies of the eastern seaboard saw an opportunity for less dependence. With the expulsion of the French from Canada and the inner possessions between the Appalachians and the Mississippi and the Spanish from Florida, the older colonies were no longer dependent on the mother-country for defense and, despite the royally guaranteed Indian reserve west of the Appalachians, westward expansion became a possibility. Around the same time, the seaboard colonies were hitting a recession.” As a result of the Sugar Act and the Currency Act of 1764, trade deficit with the mother-country was growing; it became increasingly harder to compensate for it through the profitable, yet illegal, trade with the enemy's colonies.® In short, the victory of 1763 reinforced the opposition of the interests of the colonies and the mother-country. In a context of divergent self-perceptions and interest, it is unsurprising that imperial policy failed Instead of reestablishing the colonials' right and privileges as Englishmen and entrenching the colonial system in the constitution, the unrepresentative Parliament tried act after act to secure revenue from the colonies. The Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshends Act of 1768, the Tea Act of 1773, and the Coercive Acts of 1774 outline not only the uncompromising assertiveness and uncreative® policy of the British Parliament to unilaterally introduce taxes and customs duties, but equally the institutionalization of the colonial opposition. >> CONT. next page DEFINITIONS Seven Years War (1756 — 1763): global colonial war between Britain, France, and Spain which Spain and France out of Continental North America Treaty of Paris (1763): concession of French and Spanish North American possession to Britain as a result of British triumph Declaratory Act of 1766: Parliament's authority is the same in America as in Britain and asserts Parliament's authority to make binding laws on the American colonies Trade deficit: paying more for imports than receiving for export, losing currency. Stamp Act of 1765: a direct tax imposed by the Parliament specifically on the colonies of British America. The act required that many printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper produced in London and carrying an approved imperial revenue stamp. ‘Townshends Act of 1768: a series of laws introducing taxes in the colonies in order to pay for the salaries of imperial officers (udges and governors) as to separate them from their accountability to colonial assemblies. These lead to the brave resistance of the people of Boston, the military ‘occupation of Boston in 1768 and the Boston Massacre of 1770. Tea Act of 1773: a law guaranteeing the monopoly of the East India Company over tea trade in all British colonies. MARIMUN 2023, secretary marimun@hotmail.com 4Sons of Liberty: the first ever organized response to the Parliament's oppressive Stamp Act. coordinating their resistance to the Coercive Acts. Plan of the Union: moderate plan for resistance, rejected in the First Continental Congress. Declaration of Resolves: outlined colonial objections to the Intolerable Acts, listed a colonial bill of rights, organized a boycott of British good, and provided a detailed list of grievances, published as addresses to the people of Great Britain, the new Majesty King George III. With the Stamp Act, the association of the Sons of Liberty and Correspondence Committees were born in order to coordinate trans-colonial resistance and intimidation of customs officers; however, after the prompt repeal of the Act, the association disbanded.” Later, in response to the Townshends Act, the non-importation agreement necessitated more organization as stores hadto be inspected and citizens shamed into participating in the boycott of listed goods.” Following the Tea Act, colonial resistance materialized into direct action, and the Boston Tea Party, which represented a loss with £15,000 to the East India Company,”* ensued. This destruction of large amounts of property resulted in a strict and harsh reprisal by the Parliament, corrupted by the lobbying efforts of the East India Company and ignorant of us, its abandoned North American subjects. The Coercive Acts brought on the institutional culmination of our efforts. It is in response to these tyrannical measures that twelve sister colonies convened in the First Continental Congress in 1774 year of our Lord, and the institution of our Continental awareness was born. United in a determination to show a combined authority to Great Britain, twelve colonies met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia to discuss solutions to an escalating crisis with our mother-country. In light of the recent nature of these events in the First Continental Congress, you must be versed in the divisions, interests, debate, and accomplishments achieved therein. First of all, the moderate approach, the Plan of the Union proposed by Joseph Galloway of Pennsylvania, was discarded. Second, the Declaration of Resolves, a summary of abuses, grievances, and principles, was addressed to the inhabitants of the twelve colonies themselves, the inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, the people of the Great Britain, and, most importantly, as a petition to his Majesty King George Ill? Third, a halt of trade with Britain, an Association of non-importation, non-consumption, and non- exportation, was agreed by a compact of colonies and began on December 1, 1774 year of our Lord.* Finally, the delegates provided for a Second Continental Congress to meet on May aoth, 1775 year of our Lord, and sent letters to other potentially like-minded colonies in North America. >> CONT. next page MARIMUN 2023 secretary marimun@hotmail.com 5It is to this Second Continental Congress which you are hereby honorably invited to attend. There are great controversial matters at hand. First, a response to the first petition is on its way back from Britain, and our allegiances to the mother-country, its governmental institution, and the king are uncertain. Second, as of April 19 1775 year of our Lord, violent clashes at Lexington and Concord risk escalating into more open hostilities, especially as improvised militia armies are rising across Massachusetts with the intention of resisting General Gage's inconspicuous maneuvers. For instance, popular rumor has it that Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys are heading toward the British held Fort Ticonderoga. Third, as of the Lord Dunmore's War of 1774 year of our Lord, the agreements separating the seaboard colonies and the Indian reserves in the interior have been breaking down.> The Iroquois, the Delawares, the Shawnees, and the Cherokees are yet undecided whether their interests best lie with the colonies or England; nevertheless, colonial expansion, land speculation, and influx of frontiersmen are of great concern to these peoples. Four, the colonies are maturing societies, but they are lacking in military training, supplies, and naval power; could the diplomatic art of colonial leaders play off European rivalries to their advantage? Finally, how far are the colonies willingto take their struggle with their mother-country? Is independent statehood feasible or will it constitute such a violation of nature's laws that the colonies will descend into an apocalyptic nightmare that will forever crush the struggle for equal rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? How are we to regain our lost rights and privileges as citizens constitutionally protected against tyranny? Looking forward to constructive and informed deliberations, President of the Second Continental Congress (MARIMUN 2022 secretary. marimun@hotmail.com 6References: 2. Greene, P. Jack. Peripheries and the Center: Constitutional Development in the Extended Polities of the British Empire and the United States, 1607 2788. Athens, Georgia: The University of Georgia Press, 1986. Print. 2. Maier, Pauline. From Resistance To Revolution: Colonial Radicals and the Development of American Opposition to Britain, 1756 — 2776..New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972. Print. 3. Maier, Pauline. From Resistance To Revolution: Colonial Radicals and the Development of American Opposition to Britain, 1756 —2776..New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972. Print. 4, Osgood, Herbert. “The American Revolution.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. 65-77. 5. Gipson, H. Lawrence. “The American Revolution as an Aftermath of the Great War forthe Empire, 1754-1763.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. 87 — 102. 6. Gipson, H. Lawrence. “The American Revolution as an Aftermath of the Great War forthe Empire, 1754-1763.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. 87 — 102. 7- Hacker, M. Louis. "The First American Revolution." Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed, Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. ag —142. 8 Hacker, M. Louis. "The First American Revolution.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. ag — 342. 9. Andrews, M. Charles. “The American Revolution: An Interpretation.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. 77-87. 10. Maier, Pauline. From Resistance To Revolution: Colonial Radicals and the Development of American Opposition to Britain, 1756 — 1776..New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972. Print. aa. Schlesinger, M. Arthur. “The American Revolution Reconsidered.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. 103-114. 22. Schlesinger, M. Arthur. “The American Revolution Reconsidered.” Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. Ed. Esmond Wright. Chicago: Quandrangle Books. 1966. 103-114. 33. Kindig, Thomas. Revolutionary War Timeline. Independence Hall Association. July 4", 1995. Web. Dec. 29" 2010. 14, Kindig, Thomas. Revolutionary War Timeline. Independence Hall Association. July 4, 1995. Web. Dec. 29" 2010. 25. Washburn, E. Wilcomb. Indians and the American Revolution. Americanrevolution.org. Web. Dec. 29" 2010. MARIMUN 2023 secretary marimun@hotmail.com 7Aletter to John Hancock from Paul Revere Mr. Hancock, ‘As you read this, | am in Boston watching and warning the actions of the Regular troops. | have learned much about them and their positions and | wanted to share this information with the colonial delegates. | know that you will be present at the meeting at the Pennsylvania State House; therefore I have sent you this message by safe courier in the hopes that it will be of some help to you and your fellow delegates. Coloni Delegates, In response to the destruction of the East India Company's tea in Boston Harbor following the Tea Act of 1773, Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts andthe Quebec Act. The latter expands the territory of the Province of Quebecto include some of our territories. In fact, the Grand O1 Company owned some of the aforementioned lands.' With indecision amongst Indians, | do not know. if they are planning further expansion. On the same notes with the behavior of Bostonians continuing this way, rumor had it" that General Thomas Gage had orders to raid the magazine at Charlestown and return its powder to Castle William on Castle Island." Rumors also had it that Regular troops were mobilizing to be prepared for action the following morning.” However all parties including Gage, Brattle, and Phips had denied such rumors in Boston papers; more Regular troops arrived in Boston.” s, principally Green Mountain Boys, formed specialized groups of Minutemen and arrived in Boston as well. >> CONT. DEFINITIONS East India Company: English Joint-stock company Act of Quebec of 1774: act of the Parliament of Great Britain which expanded the territory of the Province of Quebecto include territory coveted by the thirteen colonies Magazine: location where weaponry and ammunition are stored Regular troops: a nation’s permanent armed forces, which remain under arms even in times of peace Militia: military force composed of civilians Green Mountain Boys: militia from New Hampshire and New York, lead by Ethan Allen as of the 1760s Minutemen: militia that could be deployed rapidly; one of the most highly trained and important forces in the colonies’ squabbles with Great Britain, MARIMUN 2023 secretaty.marimun@hotmail.com 8Fort Ticonderoga : 18th century French fort under American control, in the strategically important region where Lake George meets Lake Champlain > Lord Dunmore : Governor of Virginia who declared war on the Shawnee and Mingo Indian nations Virginia : wealthiest of the thirteen colonies The Regular troops were concentrating around Lexington and Concord, and colonial militias met them there. More magazines I am happy to report that we have given the Regular troops heavy losses. Ethan Allen did, in fact, lead the remaining Green Mountain Boys to Fort Ticonderoga.“ I have not seen or heard of any Regular troops departing for Fort Ticonderoga so far, however | know that it is highly valuable strategically.“"I do not know if there are any more magazines there, but I do know that Lord Dunmore raided another magazine in the Colony of Vi “ With the aid of sources at Parliament, | was fortunately able to deliver the message of the influx of Regular troops to Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock, and thankfully, they safely fled before conflict began." Additionally, | received further information that Regular troops were orderedto arrest both Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock.* Thus, | believe that the Regulars are sending more troops, and the colonial delegates should not believe Parliament if they state otherwise. Also, I warn all colonial delegates to be careful after what Mr. Adams and our company went through to escape Boston. With you through the night, PS. included a map I collected to help you plan around the aforementioned events. MARIMUN 2023, secretary. marimun@hotmail.com 9Courtesy of the Library of Congress. | References: ' Procter, James, Alfred. The Ohio Company: Its Inner History. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1959, "Richmond, Robert P. (1971). Powder Alarm 1774. Princeton: Auerbach. Ibid “Ibid ” Fischer, David Hackett (1994). Paul Revere's Ride. New York: Oxford University Press “ Smith, Justin Harvey (1907). Our Struggle for the Fourteenth Colony: Canada, and the American Revolution, Volume 2. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. “Randall, Willard Sterne (1990). Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor. New York: William Morrow. “® Selby, John E; Higginbotham, Don (2007). The Revolution in Virginia, 1775-1783. Williamsburg, VA Colonial Williamsburg. ® Tourtellot, Arthur B (1959). Lexington and Concord. New York: Norton “Ibid MARIMUN 2022 secretary marimun@hotmail.com 20What happened at the 1" Continental Congress +e tte ++ + +4 + H+ + + + CARPENTER’S HALL, OCTOBER 26, 1774, Brief record of events of the first meeting of colonial delegates in congress Delegates agree to Mr. Franklin’s proposal to meet after Parliament closed the Port of Boston in response to the destruction of the East India Company's tea in Boston Harbor Georgia did not send any delegates because they did not want to worsen their conflict with Regular soldiers on their borders The delegates from Pennsylvania and New York argue for attempting to seek resolution with Parliament All delegates agree upon more rights for colonies Delegates argue about whether or not this should be by way of the principle of Parity — repeated dialogue including taxation without representation — or by severing ties with both Parliament and Congress in fear of losing any degrees of freedom colonies currently possessed Delegate from Pennsylvania Joseph Galloway proposes his plan of Union that would establish an American Parliament that would work with the British Parliament. Additionally, each parliament would have veto power over each other's proposals Galloway's plan of Union is not received with any degree of consensus Paul Revere enters with numerous statements from Massachusetts political figures that call for more confrontational action upon their treatment by Parliament These statements further divide the delegates in their positions Congress begins to lean toward these statements, becoming known as the Suffolk Resolves! Congress adopts Virginian delegates’ proposal for Continental Association, establishing non- importation, non-exportation, and non-consumption policies Policies shall be enacted by committees of political figures in each area of the colonies present They would be enacted by publishing all information about merchants who do not follow the policies and marking them as enemies, removing any contraband in se, and persuade buyers to become savers Congress drafts a statement of American colonies’ grievances addressed to King George Ill in order to emphasize that American colonies remain loyal to the King, however do not do so to Parliament if these grievances are not addressed The document is drafted and radical elements are left unedited (including, most importantly, trade control shifting to American colonies), and becomes known as the Declaration of Rights of Grievances Congress moves to resume the session in the following Spring upon the response to the aforementioned document. Sources: Kindig, Thomas E. First Continental Congress." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, o% July 3995. Web. 35 Jan. 2012. . ; "First Continental Congress.” United States History. Online Highways. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. MARIMUN 2022 secretary marimun@hotmail.com aWhat you will be discussing at the nd Continental Congress ‘* Inhabitants of the British colonies have been mistreated by their mother country, Britain, for generations ‘© The North American colonies feel that they are merely a source of income for the English; they are not represented in Parliament and do not fee! that their natural rights as human beings are being respected. For example they are treated unjustly by imperial officers and are forcedto enroll in a military that many do not believe has their interest in mind. '* North American colonists have been moved to express their frustration with England. Unfortunately, doing any radical action on the part of the colonies is difficult because they are economically and militarily dependant on Britain ‘* Nevertheless, they have begun to speak up and demand that their voices be heard by the distant government of England. ‘© For this, the American colonies have been labeled as rebels by his majesty, the King George Ill himself. © The Americans have begun to feel that this is a fight not just for representation in government, but for freedom. However, in such a fight, bloodshed will be inevitable. MARIMUN 2022 secretary marimun@hotmail.com a2Discussion points * Apetition has been sent to England and the response is on its way back to America ‘© Withall the turmoil in the thirteen colonies’ relationship with their mother country, a lot of talk and discussion of independence has arisen; most of this occurs behind closed doors out of fear of treason from loyalists to the Crown. ‘© Many of the colonies believe that diplomatic means, as opposed to full-fledged warfare, provides a greater chance of success in achieving independence — if independence is the solution at all. They understand that they have barely enough money to fundtheir army; one must consider the high costs of housing, food, arms, and training. Delegates must not take lightly the threat of the mighty English army. Diplomatic negotiations will most likely end in fewer casualties, but will the privileges of citizenship ever be granted to them if they wishto stay under the wing of the mother country? '* What's more, many believe that a friendly relationship with England could prove itself advantageous in the future, since England is one of the worlds’ most powerful nations ‘+ Atthe moment, there is already blood being splattered at Lexington, and something should be done to both minimize the casualties andto help the fellow colonists. ‘© Furthermore, the Indian American community is neither on the British or American side of this debate. If things were to turn into widespread battle, Indian American support would be of great use to the Americans if they fought side by side them and of great disadvantage if the English were to gain their trust and friendship. ‘© Finally, if further violence were to occur, could European rivals of England be used against the mother country? Photo credits for this background guide Map of Boston Area: Library of Congress The Patriot: http:/fimages.hollywood.com/site/ledger_patrit, Join or Die poster: hittp:/2.bp.blogspot.com/_xHxPbqohgSd/Se9D gk dD zdV/AAAAAAAAB34/oraFUyucgml/s,ooljointor+die*news- antique+com.jpg Fort Ticonderoga: http:/jvrunw.berggreen orgitraveliblog_picturesifort,ticonderoga._aj Continental Army : http:/vrurw_history.army.mi/images/artphoto/pripos/amsoldie “Dedaration of Independence” by John Trumbull hnttp:/upload.vrikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Declaration_independence.jpq/6o0px- Dedaration_independence.jpq MARIMUN 2022 secretary marimun@hotmail.com 33