why can it be argued that the first continental congress was the first government of america?

The First Continental Congress can be argued to be the first government of America because it functioned as a unified, representative body of the American colonies that coordinated collective action against British rule. It convened in 1774 with delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies (excluding Georgia initially) to respond to the British Coercive (Intolerable) Acts. The Congress adopted the Suffolk Resolves, established the Continental Association to enforce economic boycotts against Britain, and created committees to ensure enforcement across the colonies. These actions demonstrated the exercise of governing authority, including collective decision-making, enforcement mechanisms, and military preparedness plans. Although it still considered itself loyal to the British crown at that time, the Congress effectively operated as a de facto government by organizing resistance, unifying the colonies under common policies, and laying the foundation for future governance institutions, such as the Second Continental Congress which followed. This body represented the colonies politically on a continental level and marked a significant step away from British parliamentary control towards self-governance and the eventual independence movement. Thus, the First Continental Congress was the first government of America insofar as it was a voluntary, elected representative body exercising sovereign functions for the colonies collectively in opposition to British authority, helping unify American identity and political action prior to formal independence.