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

4. 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.

5. Olive Branch Petition Colonies state loyalty to the King
Ask for his help in ending the conflict
King George III refuses to read and declares the colonies in a state of open rebellion

6. Second Continental Congress (1775)
Decisions made by the Second Continental Congress
Military: Continental Army 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

7. Second Continental Congress (1775)
Decisions made by the Second Continental Congress (cont.)
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