Activities of the 2 nd Continental Congress 1775-1783 Attendees of Note: Ben Franklin, John Dickinson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Richard H. Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Edward Rutledge, Roger Sherman Seek Reconciliation Function as Central Government Establish National Government Olive Branch Petition (1775) Declare Independence Oversee War Efforts Print $ / Raise $ Pay for Rev. War Draft and Ratify Articles of Confederation (1781) Agreement by Colonies Resolution in Congress Draft /Revise Declaration Approval in Congress Public Proclamation Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (1775) George Washington Engage in Diplomacy with other countries: France and Spain
Activities of the 2 nd Continental Congress 1775-1783 The Olive Branch Petition to King George III 1775 Attached to your Majesty's person, family and government with all the devotion that principle and affection can inspire, connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can unite societies, and deploring every event that tends in any degree to weaken them, we solemnly assure your Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between her and these colonies may be restored but that a concord may be established between them upon so firm a basis, as to perpetuate its blessings uninterrupted by any future dissentions to succeeding generations.
Activities of the 2 nd Continental Congress 1775-1783 Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms 1775 The Legislature of Great-Britain, attempted to effect their cruel and impolitic Purpose of enslaving these Colonies by Violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last Appeal from Reason to Arms.In our own native Land, in defence of the Freedom that is our Birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late Violation of it for the protection of our Property, acquired solely by the honest Industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against Violence actually offered, we have taken up Arms. We shall lay them down when Hostilities shall cease on the part of the Aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.
The King s Response to The Olive Branch Petition
Activities of the 2 nd Continental Congress 1775-1783 No Reconciliation! Laying the Groundwork for Independence Continental Congressmen had to return to Colonies to secure the agreement of each Colony s legislative body Continental Congressmen had to manage the Loyalists those colonists who wanted to remain subjects of King George Huge propaganda campaign against the Crown and for Independence: Cartoons, Posters, Newspaper stories / editorials; Songs
Firing Up the People: The Influence of Thomas Paine and Common Sense January 1776 I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense
Activities of the 2 nd Continental Congress 1775-1783 The Resolution to be Free: Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776 Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
Activities of the 2 nd Continental Congress 1775-1783 Committee of 5 is Selected to Draft a Declaration of Intent, June 1776 John Adams Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson Robert Livingston Roger Sherman
Writing the Declaration of Independence June 7 28 Thomas Jefferson on his intent: It was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion. Committee of 5 nominates Thomas Jefferson to write the Draft
Writing the Declaration of Independence First Revision: Ben Franklin & John Adams refine Jefferson s draft
Writing the Declaration of Independence The Table Draft Laid in the Congressional Chambers for for three days (June 28-July 1) so members of the Congress could read and ponder its words Presenting the Final Draft to the Continental Congress, June 28
Debating the Declaration of Independence The Final Debate in Congress: John Dickinson vs. John Adams July 1, 1776
Celebrating the Vote for Independence The Vote that Created a New Nation, July 2, 1776 Letter from John Adams to his wife, Abigail Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man. Time has been given for the whole people maturely to consider the great question of independence, and to ripen their judgment, dissipate their fears, and allure their hopes, by discussing it in newspapers and pamphlets, by debating it in assemblies, conventions, committees of safety and inspection, in town and county meetings, as well as in private conversations, so that the whole people, in every colony of the thirteen, have now adopted it as their own act. This will cement the union
Debating the Declaration of Independence Debating the Final Revisions to the Declaration, July 2-3
Revising the Declaration of Independence: Cooperative Group Activity
Signing the Declaration of Independence The Signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776