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Second Continental Congress

Essential Question How did the colonial leaders respond to British control of the colonies?

Second Continental Congress (1775) The colonial leaders met for the second time in Philadelphia during May of 1775 to discuss what to do 65 men met in Independence Hall to decide what steps would be made by the colonies

Second Continental Congress (1775) The presiding officer of the Congress was John Hancock Other participants: Thomas Jefferson Ben Franklin John Adams Samuel Adams Patrick Henry George Washington

Second Continental Congress (1775) New England representatives like John Adams from Massachusetts wanted the colonies to: Form their own governments. Declare independence. Recognize the minutemen as the Continental Army. Pick a general to lead an army against the British. Other colonial representatives [mostly non-New England colonists] like John Dickinson from PA still held out hope to stay with England.

Second Continental Congress (1775) Decisions made by the Second Continental Congress Military: The Continental Army was created and George Washington was chosen as the commander Financial: Authorize the printing of colonial money. Foreign Affairs: The Congress sent representatives to France and other locations throughout Europe in order to try to gain allies. Ben Franklin participates in this committee

Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) Document created by Congress to cool relations Colonies state loyalty to the King Ask for His help in ending the conflict Following Bunker Hill, June 1775, (costly victory for British), King George III proclaimed colonies in rebellion and hired Hessians to crush rebels and blockades the American coast.

Washington takes Boston Washington has captured weapons from Ticonderoga brought to Boston By March 1776: Washington had enough weapons Takes Boston Forces the British to retreat out of Boston Harbor British sail to Halifax Nova Scotia with 1,100 Loyalists (colonists who sympathized with the British)

Second Continental Congress Washington, Commander of Continental Army

Common Sense -Rallies support in colonies for Independence -Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine sells 120,000 copies. Appealed to natural law ("an island should not rule a continent") King George was brutish and undeserving of colonials' respect America had a moral obligation to the world to be independent and democratic -Rallies support in colonies for Independence

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Welcome Work Get out your ISN Title a new page “Declaration of Independence” EQ: What was the meaning and impact of the Declaration of Independence specifically the philosophical principles in the preamble, the major grievances, and the final declaration of independence? SS.8.C.1.2; SS.8.A.3.6; SS.8.A.3.7

Essential Question What was the meaning and impact of the Declaration of Independence specifically the philosophical principles in the preamble, the major grievances, and the final declaration of independence? SS.8.C.1.2; SS.8.A.3.6; SS.8.A.3.7

Second Continental Congress -Meet in the middle of war -Philadelphia, PA (May 10, 1775) -1st Job: Appoint General of Continental Army (George Washington) -2nd Job: Decide how to end war

Second Continental Congress (1776) Decisions made by the Second Continental Congress Independence: Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and it was approved and signed by the Congress on July 4th 1776 Government: Approved the passage of the Articles of Confederation as the first government of the new nation in 1777

The Declaration of Independence -June 7, 1776; Independence proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia -Committee organized to draft document (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingstone, Thomas Jefferson) -Jefferson chosen to write document -July 4, 1776; Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress (America is now independent of England)

Second Continental Congress declared independence July 2, 1776. Jefferson headed the committee drafting the written statement. Arguments were based on John Locke's contract theory of government: All people have natural rights ("Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness") When a government abuses rights, the people have a right to "alter or abolish" it King George has acted tyrannically. Long list of wrongs done by King to colonists. The colonies are independent. Declaration gave a clear position for rebellious colonists, forcing others to choose rebellion or declare as Loyalists.

Wrap-up Why did the Continental Congress write a Declaration of Independence? How did this declaration change the war?