Second Continental Congress Revolutionary War

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1 Second Continental Congress Revolutionary War Chair: Patrick Lyons CMMUN VII November 17th, 2018

2 Letter from the Chair Dear Delegates, Welcome to Catholic Memorial Model United Nations VII and the Second Continental Congress Committee. Your chair for this committee will be Patrick Lyons. We are thrilled to be hosting this committee to start of the Model UN year! I am a current senior at Catholic Memorial, and I have been involved with CM s Model United Nations program ever since seventh grade. This year I will be serving as one of the co-secretary generals for Catholic Memorial Model UN. For this committee, each delegate will represent a member of the Continental Congress in May of 1776, right in the thick of the American Revolutionary War. We will discuss and carry out many different issues during this committee, from whether or not to declare independence from the British Empire to the strategy behind how the war should be fought. This committee will be a crisis committee, so anything that is passed will have an impact on how the events of the Revolution play out. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to my . I am very much looking forward to this committee and hope all of you are as well. Follow us on Good Luck, Patrick Lyons 19 patricklyons@catholicmemorial.org 1

3 Background Seven Years War There were many reasons for the colonies uprising against the British government. The root of many of the causes was the Seven Years War, or the French and Indian War. The war was fought mainly between the British and the French, with various Native American tribes contributing on each side. The conflict was over some disputed land in the upper Ohio River Valley, where borders between the two nations imperial territories were ill-defined. After a slow start, the British were able to gain control and win the war, but their victory was short-lived. The disputed territories went to the British, but many colonists were extremely angered. First of all, many colonists were forced into service and suffered under tough conditions for a cause they felt no real allegiance to. On top of that, the war effort was wildly expensive. The British Parliament s solution to the tremendous debt accrued during the war was to levy certain taxes on the colonies, which naturally did not sit well with the colonists either. In 1763, shortly after the end of the Seven Years War, the first act of Parliament to draw a negative reaction from the American colonies was passed. The Proclamation of 1763 forbade any settlers from venturing west of the Appalachian Mountain Range, making possible only for licensed traders or the empire itself to conduct any business with Native Americans or beyond the Appalachians. This act was passed largely in response to increasingly common violent encounters between white settlers and Native Americans. The specific event that triggered such a drastic response was Pontiac s Rebellion, in which Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa tribe united Native Americans spanning many different tribes to fight back against British settlers. Villages and forts were raided, and hundreds of people were killed and captured on each side. Colonists were outraged by this act. For one, they did not want their movements to be restricted by a government all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, an idea which would become increasingly popular over the next decade or so. On top of that, however, colonists who had already settled west of the Appalachians had to go back east, essentially uprooting their entire lives. Despite the passage of the act, many people still settled west of the mountain range. This was an early example of large-scale resistance to the British empire by colonists. 2

4 Taxation Without Representation In 1764, major taxation of the colonies began. The first tax levied was the Sugar Act, which placed taxes on sugar and molasses imports. This was the first seriously-enforced tax on the colonies in decades, as the colonists had previously been able to smuggle in imports that should have been taxed under British salutary neglect, as the empire was not keeping too close of an eye on them. Now that the ports were being closely watched, smuggling was not as viable of an option, which meant that the colonists would have to pay the taxes. Later that same year, the Currency Act was passed. This act regulated the ability of the colonies to issue currency, in the form of both paper and coins. This met immediate disapproval in the colonies, as many were suffering in the sputtering postwar economy. The Stamp Act was the first act to bring about serious colonial uproar. Passed in 1765, the Stamp Act was the first tax to be levied directly upon the colonists, meaning that goods sold within the colonies were taxed as opposed to imports. The tax applied to just about any paper product, including stamps, newspapers, and legal documents. The act met significant backlash among colonists. They argued that although Parliament did have authority over trade involving the colonies, direct taxes could only reasonably be levied by the colonies representative assemblies. Various demonstrations occurred throughout the colonies, and most notably the early revolutionary group known as the Sons of Liberty was born. It was clear that within the colonies, few people supported the Act. The Townshend Acts were the next significant acts of Parliament, passed in These acts placed taxes on British china, tea, lead, glass, paint, and paper imported in the colonies. These specifics imports were chosen in response to the idea gaining steam in the colonies to produce their own goods as opposed to importing taxed British goods. Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of British monetary affairs and the man for whom the acts were named, believed that America would have difficulty replicating these products, forcing them to comply with the taxes. What angered many colonists the most about the taxes was that the revenue went towards the salaries of colonial judges. In response to the acts, despite Townshend s estimations that the products would be difficult to recreate in the colonies, many colonists began to boycott British goods altogether. 3

5 After a relatively quiet period of decent relations between the empire and the colonies, the Tea Act was passed in The act placed no new taxes on tea or any other products, though the tea tax from the Townshend Acts remained in place. The Tea Act granted the British East India Trading Company an essential monopoly on tea in the colonies, forcing the colonists to buy expensive imported British tea. This act prompted the famous purge known as the Boston Tea Party. Many rebellion-minded colonists, organized by Samuel Adams, rushed onto the Company s ships in the Boston Harbor at night dressed as Native Americans and threw roughly 46 tons of tea into the harbor. The British government was outraged by the events and made sure that they would have the last words on the subject. Parliament s response to the Tea Party was to pass the Coercive Acts in 1774, renamed the Intolerable Acts by the colonists because of how much hate they garnered. The main goal of the acts was to isolate Massachusetts, the most unruly of the colonies, from the rest of the colonies, suppressing the revolutionary ideas harbored there. The Port of Boston was closed until the money lost in the Tea Party was repaid in full, a very difficult blow for a city whose economy was so reliant on trade. Town meetings in Massachusetts were also severely restricted, as they were a very important form of democratic government in the colony. British officials could not be tried in the colonies, protecting them from any biases that may exist among colonists. Colonists were also required to house and care for British troops upon demand, regardless of whether or not they were willing or able to do so. The Intolerable Acts were the culmination of all the ill feelings between the colonies and empire since the end of the French and Indian War, and they were one of the key deciding factors in the movement for colonial revolution. Early Conflicts The first conflict to take place in the Revolutionary war was the Battle of Lexington and Concord. This conflict began when a British plan to capture revolutionary leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock and then take American supplies was leaked by American supplies. Patriots such as Paul Revere and William Dawes rushed to warn the minutemen, or local militias, in the countryside that British forces would be arriving in the morning with the intent to carry out their plan. The 240 British soldiers that arrived on Lexington Green the following morning were met with resistance from roughly 70 minutemen. While it is unclear who fired the first shot, the fighting at Lexington Green 4

6 was the start of the American Revolution. As the British marched onwards to meet up with more troops at Concord, their path was blocked by more minutemen. The ferocity and surprising ability of the American militias caused the British to retreat back to Boston, with the minutemen following them and inflicting 125 casualties along the way. Another significant American victory in 1775 came at Fort Ticonderoga. The British-controlled fort in New York was stockpiled with cannons and other heavy artillery, which the continental army severely lacked. The Americans, under the command of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, proved victorious despite their small numbers and took control of the fort. This victory gave the revolutionaries important weaponry which they liked, proving to be a significant turning point in the war. While all of this was happening, British troops still occupied Boston, the hub of colonial revolutionary sentiments. The Battle of Bunker Hill was a critical event during this occupation. Revolutionary forces were ordered to entrench themselves atop Bunker Hill, a strategic location from which they could bombard passing British ships. These orders were carried out incorrectly, however, and the soldiers set up on Breed s Hill, much closer to the British forces. In a puzzling military decision, British General William Howe ordered his men to charge head on at the rebels. Howe may have been hoping that the rebels would back down and retreat, but he had no such luck. With colonial muskets and cannons staring straight down the hill at the oncoming British forces, the first and second waves of Howe s forces were mowed down with heavy casualties. The British only managed to win the battle when the Americans began to run low on ammunition and resorted to hand-to-hand combat. In total, nearly half of the British forces involved were either killed or wounded. Although the colonists lost the battle, it gave them great confidence that they could win with proper supplies and weaponry. The British occupation of Boston continued on into March of 1776, when the flame of revolution was burning as bright as ever. When General George Washington of the Continental Army arrived in the city, he knew that flushing the British out would be key to victory in the war as a whole. Luckily for Washington, the rebels had a new advantage. Henry Knox had retrieved the cannons won at Ticonderoga and led an operation bringing them all the way down to Boston. Using these cannons, Washington s forces bombarded the British for several days before daringly taking high ground at Dorchester Heights in the dead of night. The following morning, recognizing the compromising 5

7 position that he found himself again, General Howe pulled his forces out of the city, ending the long occupation to focus his efforts on other cities. Current Situation It is May, At this point, no official documents declaring independence have been drafted. While the multitude of battles and insurgencies by colonists against the British would suggest widespread support for the Revolution, it has remained a minority movement, albeit a powerful minority. High-ranking social elites such as George Washington, Thomas, Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin were all in support of the Revolution, but the movement still lacked widespread public support. An official declaration of independence seems likely at this point, but many other issues still need to be sorted out. For example, should the Revolution continue, there is a serious problem with having enough money to keep the movement afloat. The likely next major conflict seems to be in New York, with the large loyalist population in the city providing plenty of support for British forces. Questions to Consider 1. Should the colonies formally declare independence from Britain? How would the colonies benefit? What would be the drawbacks? 2. Can the Revolution continue as a minority movement? What steps can be taken to sway public opinion more in favor of rebellion against the British? 3. What steps should be taken in order to raise money for the Revolution? Should taxes be used? For how much longer will volunteers continue to fight if they do not receive their pay straight away? 4. What should be the next steps in the Revolution, should it continue at all? Should foreign aid be sought? What should be the regions of emphasis for attack and defense? 5. If independence is indeed won, how should the nation be governed? Will the Continental Congress as a whole rule or should a new government be put in place? 6

8 Positions John Adams (Massachusetts) John Adams was among the most active participants in the American Revolution. Despite his belief that taxation by the British on the colonies was tyrannical and unacceptable, he defended the five British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre, ensuring they had a fair trial. As a member of Congress, Adams nominated George Washington to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and chaired twenty-five committees while serving on dozens more. Samuel Adams (Massachusetts) Samuel Adams was one of the best-known and most influential patriots in the time leading up to the war. He organized the Sons of Liberty and was the mastermind behind the Boston Tea Party. He was an ardent supporter of independence and used his exceptional oratory skills to promote his views. Charles Carroll (Maryland) Carroll was a very early supporter of radical ideas, advocating for armed resistance against Britain before the formation of the Continental Congress. In 1772, he anonymously advocated against British taxation of the colonies in a Maryland newspaper. Abraham Clark (New Jersey) Clark worked as a surveyor and attorney prior to his election to the Continental Congress. Once elected, he supported independence from Britain. George Clymer (Pennsylvania) George Clymer was a patriot leader who had fought against British taxation on the colonies without colonial representation in Parliament. Clymer was in favor of independence and quickly became very active in the buildup of the Continental Army s provisions and George Washington s power. 7

9 John Dickinson (Pennsylvania) John Dickinson was one of the few members of the Continental Congress who opposed independence from start to finish. Dickinson firmly believed that reconciliation with the British was possible, and as a result he did not sign the Declaration of Independence. William Ellery (Rhode Island) William Ellery was an active member of the Rhode Island Sons of Liberty and was appointed to Congress as a replacement for the deceased Samuel Ward. He was immediately appointed to the maritime committee and served on several other war-related committees as well. Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania) Benjamin Franklin was an extremely involved and talented delegate. Franklin served as an agent to England, France, and several other European nations prior to the Revolution and served as one of the most influential leaders in the fight for independence from the British Empire. He was one of the men who helped to write the Declaration of Independence. Lyman Hall (Georgia) Lyman Hall had been a physician before securing election to the Continental Congress. As a member of the Congress, Hall was involved with provisioning food and medicine for the Continental Army. John Hancock (Massachusetts) John Hancock was another active patriot from Massachusetts and was perhaps the wealthiest man in New England. He was unsurprisingly in favor of both independence and the revolution and served as the president of the Continental Congress. Joseph Hewes (North Carolina) Joseph Hewes was the leading maritime expert on the Continental Congress. After independence became official he placed all of his ships into service of the Continental Army and essentially became the first secretary of the American Navy. 8

10 Stephen Hopkins (Rhode Island) Stephen Hopkins had long been a supporter of independence from Britain. He was present when Benjamin Franklin proposed his plan for colonial autonomy at the Albany Congress in 1754 and supported the Declaration of Independence. John Jay John Jay did not support independence originally, believing that reconciliation with Britain was still possible. He served as the ambassador to Spain for much of the war, attempting to get the Spanish to recognize America s sovereignty. Thomas Jefferson (Virginia) Thomas Jefferson was an extremely well-educated man and used his experience to his advantage in the Continental Congress. He wrote his own theory about colonial self-governance, titled A Summary View of the Rights of British America, and sent it ahead of him to Congress upon his appointment. Once he arrived, his work had been received with such praise that Congress had published it and distributed it throughout the colonies. This background factored into Jefferson s selection as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Francis Lightfoot Lee (Virginia) Francis Lightfoot Lee, like many of his Northern counterparts, was strongly opposed to British taxation of the colonies, even to the radical extent of Samuel Adams and John Hancock. He continued to oppose the British through his strong involvement with the Continental Congress during the war. Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) Richard Henry Lee was among the first and most outspoken supporters of independence within the setting of the Continental Congress. He received many important committee appointments as one of the more active members of the Congress. Philip Livingston (New York) Philip Livingston had been present at the Albany Congress in 1754 and fiercely advocated for independence ever since. Naturally, he strongly supported the Declaration of Independence once he was appointed to the Continental Congress. 9

11 Robert Morris (Pennsylvania) Robert Morris originally got involved with the Revolution when his business suffered as a result of the Stamp Act. He supported colonial movements that challenged British authority. Morris was heavily involved as a member of Congress in raising money and gathering supplies for the Continental Army. He was given the special power by Congress to negotiate bills or otherwise acquire money to go towards the war effort, making him one of the most important men in the country. Robert Treat Paine (Massachusetts) Robert Treat Paine did not originally desire war, but once the effort was underway he did all he could to help. He preferred to reconcile with the British if possible, but he also chaired a congressional committee focused on acquiring gun powder for the Continental Army as soon as the war began. He was known in Congress, according to Benjamin Rush, as someone who always objected to ideas despite proposing very few himself. George Read (Delaware) George Read was an active patriot prior to the formation of the Continental Congress, but did not support independence at first. He thought early propositions were too hasty, and voted against them in Congress. Read experienced some sort of conversion, however, as he became one of the leading figures in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Roger Sherman (Connecticut) Sherman was one of the most active members of Congress. He was a member of numerous Congressional committees and was also heavily involved in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Richard Stockton (New Jersey) Richard Stockton was originally a more moderate figure when it came to colonial autonomy. He did not support independence from the crown, merely for the colonies to have seats in Parliament. While this desire quickly proved itself impossible, Stockton did not immediately turn towards independence like so many other delegates. He waited to hear arguments from both sides before making any decisions. 10

12 William Whipple (New Hampshire) William Whipple was involved with both congressional and military affairs. As well as being a member of the Continental Congress, Whipple led troops from New Hampshire in decisive clashes such as the Battle of Saratoga. James Wilson (Pennsylvania) James Wilson first earned the attention of the Continental Congress when he published his pamphlet, titled "Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament." which argued that Parliament had no authority to pass laws for the colonies. Upon being elected to the Congress, Wilson became one of the delegates who was most radically in favor of a total split from Britain. John Witherspoon (New Jersey) John Witherspoon only became concerned with politics shortly before his appointment to the Continental Congress, but he quickly became one of the most active members. He was a member of over one hundred committees and was a regular in the Congress s debates. George Washington George Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Washington s first experience leading troops was for the British during the French and Indian War. Ironically, in the American Revolution, Washington found himself trying to convince the French to join him in a fight against the British. ***Note: Some historical liberties were taken in order to ensure the highest quality of debate and representation of most colonies. As a result, several of these delegates either were not present for this meeting of the Continental Congress, were never members of the Congress, or died within the expected time frame of this committee. 11

13 Works Cited 1. Battle of Lexington and Concord Facts & Summary. American Battlefield Trust, The Revolutionary War Trust, 7 July 2017, 2. Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice. What Was the Stamp Act? History of Massachusetts, 12 Dec. 2011, historyofmassachusetts.org/the-stamp-act/. 3. Historic Events Timeline. Fort Ticonderoga Timeline, French & Indian War, American Revolution, Fort Ticonderoga, 2018, 4. Rakove, Jack. The Patriot Who Refused to Sign the Declaration of Independence. HistoryNet, World History Group, 24 Jan. 2018, nce.htm. 5. Shumate, Ken. The Sugar Act: A Brief History. Journal of the American Revolution, Journal of the American Revolution, 16 Sept. 2018, allthingsliberty.com/2018/09/the-sugar-act-a-brief-history/. 6. Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, 7. The Coercive Acts. Coming of the American Revolution: The Coercive/Intolerable Acts, Massachusetts Historical Society, 2016, 12

Causes of the American Revolution

Causes of the American Revolution The Taxation Acts The King of England started taxing the colonists in the form of Taxation Acts in 1764. He felt that the colonists should bear the burden of the expense