Final answer:
The Continental Congress was central in deliberating and collaborating on the American colonies' response to British actions, leading to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the eventual formation of an independent union.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Continental Congress served as a platform for deliberation and collaboration among the representatives from the various American colonies in response to the escalating tensions with Britain. Initially, during the First Continental Congress in 1774, discussions concentrated on the oppressive actions of the British Parliament and the resulting need for a unified colonial response.
Notably, Joseph Galloway proposed a plan for a union with Britain, which would have allowed the Parliament to legislate for the colonies with the caveat that such legislation could not take effect without the approval of an American Assembly. The narrow defeat of this proposal underscored the independent thinking of the colonial delegates.
The Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, after the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord, shifting its role from mere deliberation to active governance and war leadership. This Congress addressed Lord North's Conciliatory Proposition, deemed inadequate by this time, and eventually embraced the cause of independence, highlighted by the drafting and adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Throughout its existence, the Continental Congress demonstrated the colonists' desire to form a collective response to British policies, showcasing unity among the colonies and paving the way toward formal independence.