Second Continental Congress

1. Second Continental Congress

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Second Continental Congress (1775) • The presiding officer of the Congress was John Hancock • Other participants: • Thomas Jefferson • Ben Franklin • John Adams • Samuel Adams • Richard Henry Lee • John Dickinson

5. 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

6. Second Continental Congress (1775) • 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