Th e Second Continental Congress Lesson 5.4 Outline

Key Facts The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775

Key Facts Key people - John and Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington

Key Facts Benjamin Franklin, who represented the colonies in London and helped win repeal of the Stamp Act, was also present.

Key Facts John Hancock of Massachusetts was the president of the Second Continental Congress. He was a wealthy merchant who funded many Patriot groups, including the Sons of Liberty.

Key Facts Thomas Jefferson, only 32, was also a delegate. He served in the Virginia legislature. Jefferson was already known as a brilliant thinker and writer.

Key Facts The delegates at the Second Continental Congress had much to discuss. Although American and British blood had been spilled, they were not ready to vote for a break from Britain. It would be another year before Jefferson would write the Declaration of Independence.

Key Actions The Continental Congress took these steps to begin governing the colonies:

Key Actions 1. Authorized the printing of money and set up a post office, with Benjamin Franklin in charge.

Key Actions 2. Formed committees to handle relations with Native Americans and foreign countries.

Key Actions 3. Created the Continental Army. Unlike local militias, such a force could form and carry out an overall strategy for fighting the British. The Congress unanimously chose George Washington to command this army.

Key Actions 4. Offered Britain a last chance to avoid war. They sent a petition, or formal request, to George III. Called the Olive Branch Petition, it assured the king that the colonists wanted peace. It asked him to protect the colonists’ rights.

Note: An olive branch is a symbol of peace

Key Actions The king rejected the petition. Instead, he prepared for war. He hired more than 30,000 German troops, called Hessians, to fight alongside British troops.

Thomas Paine and Common Sense In his pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued for American independence.

Thomas Paine and Common Sense According to Paine, society was everything constructive and good that people join together to accomplish.

Thomas Paine and Common Sense He believed that government's only purpose was to protect life, liberty, and property, and that a government should be judged only by how well it accomplishes this goal.

Thomas Paine on the American Colonies Some people felt that America had thrived under British rule, and therefore ought to stay under the king. Paine said that such an argument failed to realize that America had evolved and no longer needed Britain's help.

Thomas Paine on the American Colonies Paine felt that Britain has only watched over America in order to gain more money.

Thomas Paine on the American Colonies Paine added that most recently, instead of watching over the colonies, the British had been attacking them, and therefore did not deserve American loyalty. Paine said that the colonies had little to gain from remaining attached to Britain.

Thomas Paine on the American Colonies He believed that if America became independent, then trade would improve, and the rest of the world would gain more respect for America.

Thomas Paine on the American Colonies Pain recommended that the colonists adopted a representative democracy in which citizens elected other people to make decisions for them. He wanted this system to give each of the colonies an almost equal say in government.

Wrap Up Why do you think that John Hancock was selected the leader of the Second Continental Congress? What were some of the key decision of the Second Continental Congress? Why was a petition sent to King George III? What are some of the main ideas of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense?