Second Continental Congress Second Continental Congress 1775 The

Second Continental Congress

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) } 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) The presiding officer of the Congress was John Hancock } Other participants: } § § § Thomas Jefferson Ben Franklin John Adams Samuel Adams Richard Henry Lee John Dickinson

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

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 4 th 1776 § Government: Approved the passage of the Articles of Confederation as the first government of the new nation in 1777