Second Continental Congress

Congress voting independence

Verso The United Colonies 5 dollars 1775 urn-3 HBS.Baker.AC 1142110

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Washington promotion by Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence (1819), by John Trumbull

Independence Hall Clocktower in Philadelphia

Articles of Confederation 13c 1977 issue

The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting in the spring of 1775, shortly after the commencement of the American Revolutionary War. It succeeded the First Continental Congress, which convened in response to the British imposition of the Intolerable Acts on the colonies. The Second Congress managed the colonial war effort and moved incrementally towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. By raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and making formal treaties, the Congress acted as the de facto national government of what would become the United States.

Background

The need for a second congress was dictated by the escalating conflict between the British troops and colonial militias, particularly after the battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. The First Continental Congress had sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, seeking a resolution to the disputes, but the King declared the colonies in rebellion.

Sessions

The Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775, in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It included some of the same delegates as the first congress, such as John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, along with new members like Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock.

Major Actions

• Formation of the Continental Army: On June 14, 1775, the Congress established the Continental Army to coordinate the military efforts of the colonies against Britain. George Washington was appointed as the commander-in-chief.
• Foreign Alliances: Efforts to secure foreign support began, leading to the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778.
• Declaration of Independence: On July 2, 1776, the Congress voted in favor of independence from Britain, and two days later, it adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted by a committee including Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin.
• Articles of Confederation: The Congress also acted as a national government under the Articles of Confederation, which were adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, providing a legal framework for the union of the states.

Impact

The Second Continental Congress played a pivotal role in American history, guiding the colonies through the first stages of the Revolutionary War, declaring independence, and laying the groundwork for the United States' government. Its actions led to the formation of a new nation based on principles of democracy and liberty.

Legacy

The legacy of the Second Continental Congress is evident in the enduring significance of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States. It represents a critical moment in American history when the colonies united against British rule to fight for their independence.