Patriots, Loyalists, and the Second Continental Congress Coach Kuntz United States History
The Second Continental Congress -On May 10, 1775, The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. This was just weeks after the battles at Lexington and Concord. -Congress hoped to avoid a final break with England. They wanted peace! -All thirteen colonies sent delegates to this meeting
Preparing for British Attack -While Congress did not want war, in June 1775 they established the Continental Army in order to repel a potential British attack. -George Washington of Virginia, the hero of the French and Indian War, was appointed commander of the army.
Give Peace A Chance -In July 1775, the delegates sent a petition to King George III (the King of England). This petition was called the Olive Branch Petition. -The petition declared their loyalty to the king but asked him to repeal the Intolerable Acts. -The King of England responded to the petition by sending 20,000 soldiers to the colony to crush the revolt.
Taking of Fort Ticonderoga -On May 10, 1775, a blacksmith named Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led a Vermont militia group known as the Green Mountain Boys in a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga. -They captured the fort from the British and won a valuable supply of cannons and gunpowder. -The Second Continental Congress DID NOT approve of this attack on the British.
Picking Sides in the Upcoming War Patriots- Favored war against the British. Loyalists- Colonists who remained loyal to Britain. NOT ALL COLONISTS WANTED INDEPENDENCE: 1/3 of colonists were Patriots, 1/3 of colonists were Loyalists, and 1/3 of colonists did not pick a side.