The First and Second Continental Congresses were significant in American independence as they served as the collective response of the colonies to British rule. The First Congress convened in 1774 to address grievances and seek redress, establishing a unified colonial front. The Second Congress, which emerged in 1775, took a more decisive step by organizing the colonial war effort and eventually adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. These gatherings marked the transition from protest to active rebellion against British authority, framing a narrative of unity that would be critical in securing foreign support and mobilizing public sentiment toward independence.