History.com: What Did the Three Continental Congresses Do?

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress became America's de facto government. Over a period of 15 years, from 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress underwent a profound evolution. Starting out as a temporary group that met to address American colonists' issues with British rule, it morphed into the de facto government of the 13 colonies, and ultimately into an official governing body of the United States. These different phases of the congress are often referred to as the First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress and Confederate Congress. Here are the major achievements of each.