What document set a precedent for future congresses by allowing colonies to organize for common defense?

The Albany Plan of Union is the document that set a precedent for future congresses by allowing the colonies to organize for common defense. Proposed in 1754 during the French and Indian War, it aimed to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. Although the plan was ultimately rejected, it demonstrated the need for collective decision-making and cooperation among the colonies, particularly regarding defense issues and relations with Native American tribes.

The significance of the Albany Plan lies in its visionary suggestion that the colonies could benefit from a more structured alliance and governance, which foreshadowed later efforts such as the Continental Congress and ultimately the formation of the United States. This early attempt at unification laid the groundwork for subsequent cooperative efforts, illustrating the growing recognition among the colonies of their shared interests and the importance of collaboration in addressing common challenges.