Eleanor Finch
The Second Continental Congress (1775–1781) was a meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American Revolution and Revolutionary War, establishing American independence from Britain. The Congress assumed the role of a de facto national government, taking on responsibilities such as raising militias, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and writing petitions. It also drafted the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first U.S. constitution until it was replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1789. The Second Continental Congress played a crucial role in shaping the early governance of the United States and influencing the development of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 1775–1781 |
| Purpose | To plan further responses to the British government's actions and to take charge of the war effort |
| Achievements | Managed the war effort, drafted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, adopted the first U.S. constitution, secured diplomatic recognition and support from foreign nations, resolved state land claims west of the Appalachian Mountains, and declared America's independence from Britain |
| Functions | Raising militias, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, writing petitions, negotiating diplomatic agreements, issuing and borrowing money, establishing a postal service, creating a navy |
| Leadership | Peyton Randolph (president), Charles Thomson (secretary) |
| Notable delegates | Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Second Continental Congress was the de facto national government
The Second Continental Congress succeeded the First Continental Congress, which met from September 5 to October 26, 1774, also in Philadelphia. The Second Continental Congress first convened in present-day Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on May 10, 1775, with representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the Revolutionary War, fought on April 19, 1775.
The Second Continental Congress functioned as the de facto federation government at the outset of the Revolutionary War by raising militias, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and writing petitions. It also successfully managed the war effort, drafted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, adopted the first U.S. Constitution, secured diplomatic recognition and support from foreign nations, and resolved state land claims west of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Second Continental Congress had no explicit legal authority from the British to govern, but it assumed all the functions of a national government, including appointing ambassadors, signing treaties, raising armies, appointing generals, obtaining loans from Europe, issuing paper money called "Continentals", and disbursing funds. The Congress had no authority to levy taxes and was required to request money, supplies, and troops from the states to support the war effort.
Mandatory Duties: US Citizenship Responsibilities Explained
You may want to see also
It coordinated resistance to British rule
The Second Continental Congress, which met from 1775 to 1781, played a crucial role in coordinating resistance to British rule during the early years of the American Revolution. It served as the governing body for the 13 American colonies, later the United States, and effectively functioned as the de facto national government.
The Second Continental Congress took charge of the war effort, raising militias, directing strategy, and appointing generals and diplomats. It also assumed the role of conducting diplomacy on behalf of the emerging nation, negotiating with foreign nations, and securing diplomatic recognition and support.
One of the key ways the Second Continental Congress coordinated resistance was through economic measures. It adopted and enforced a boycott of British goods, opening American ports to all foreign ships except British vessels. It also issued and borrowed money, established a postal service, and created a navy. However, the Congress struggled with funding and supplying the war effort due to a lack of infrastructure and taxation powers, which remained with the individual states.
The Congress also played a role in drafting and passing the Articles of Confederation, which established a new national government for the United States and served as its first constitution. The Articles of Confederation addressed issues such as western land claims and the representation of states and the people in the legislative process.
The Second Continental Congress was a pivotal body in coordinating resistance to British rule, shaping the political and military strategies that laid the foundation for American independence. It served as the unifying force among the colonies, balancing their interests and fostering a collective colonial identity in opposition to British rule.
A Modern President: Leading with Example and Innovation
You may want to see also
It declared America's independence from Britain
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American Revolution and Revolutionary War. It constituted a new federation that it first named the United Colonies of North America, and in 1776, renamed the United States of America.
The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775, to plan further responses if the British government did not repeal or modify the acts; however, the American Revolutionary War had already begun. The Second Continental Congress took charge of the war effort, raising militias, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and writing petitions. It also assumed all the functions of a national government, including appointing ambassadors, signing treaties, raising armies, obtaining loans from Europe, issuing paper money, and disbursing funds.
The Second Continental Congress took the momentous step of declaring America's independence from Britain. On July 2, 1776, with New York abstaining, the Congress “unanimously” resolved that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” Two days later, on July 4, it solemnly approved this Declaration of Independence.
The Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, which became the first U.S. constitution in March 1781. The Articles of Confederation established a new national government for the United States, officially declaring America's independence from Britain.
The Mexican Constitution: Social Security System Established?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It drafted the Articles of Confederation
The Second Continental Congress, which met from 1775 to 1781, was a gathering of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War. It constituted a new federation that it first named the United Colonies of North America and, in 1776, renamed the United States of America.
The Second Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation, which served as the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain. The Articles of Confederation were passed by Congress on November 15, 1777, after more than a year of debate, and sent to the states for ratification.
The Articles created a sovereign national government, limiting the rights of the states to conduct their own diplomacy and foreign policy. The Congress, as the primary organ of the new national government, had the power to declare war, appoint military officers, sign treaties, make alliances, appoint foreign ambassadors, and manage relations with Native American tribes. Each state held "its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, not expressly delegated to the United States in Congress."
The Articles of Confederation represented an attempt to balance the sovereignty of the states with an effective national government. Under the Articles, the states, not Congress, had the power to tax. Congress could only raise money by requesting funds from the states, borrowing from foreign governments, and selling western lands. The Articles also did not establish a genuinely republican government, with power concentrated in a single assembly rather than being divided into separate houses and branches.
The Second Continental Congress observed the Articles of Confederation as it conducted business during the American Revolution, including directing the war effort, conducting diplomacy, addressing territorial issues, and dealing with Native American relations. The Articles served as the nation's plan of government until the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the governing document of the United States.
Supreme Court: Lifetime Appointment, Constitutional?
You may want to see also
It served as a diplomatic liaison
The Second Continental Congress served as a diplomatic liaison in several ways.
Firstly, it acted as the de facto national government, conducting diplomacy on behalf of the new United States. This included negotiating diplomatic agreements with foreign nations, such as France, and managing the war effort. The Congress also appointed diplomats and ambassadors, and wrote petitions, such as the Olive Branch Petition, which attempted to resolve disputes between the colonies and Great Britain.
Secondly, the Congress was responsible for securing diplomatic recognition and support from foreign nations. This included obtaining loans from Europe and issuing paper money, known as "Continentals".
Thirdly, the Congress served as the official colonial liaison to Great Britain, attempting to negotiate and resolve disputes. For example, the Congress sent petitions to King George III, urging him to repeal the Intolerable Acts and resolve colonial grievances. However, these attempts were largely unsuccessful, as the British Parliament continued to pass laws suppressing unrest in the colonies, and the King refused to receive the Olive Branch Petition.
Finally, as the governing body of the 13 colonies, the Second Continental Congress coordinated resistance to British rule, including enforcing boycotts of British goods and resolving state land claims west of the Appalachian Mountains.
In summary, the Second Continental Congress played a crucial role in conducting diplomacy, securing foreign support, and attempting to negotiate with Great Britain on behalf of the colonies, ultimately influencing the development of the Constitution and the formation of the United States.
Bike Rack Lights: Are They Legally Obscured?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Second Continental Congress was the meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American Revolution and Revolutionary War, which established American independence from the British Empire.
The Second Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, which became the first U.S. constitution in 1781.
The Articles of Confederation established a new national government for the United States, with each state having one vote. It also addressed western land claims, with states retaining control over these lands.
The Second Continental Congress managed the war effort, directed strategy, appointed diplomats and military leaders, and conducted diplomacy with foreign nations.
The Second Continental Congress met from 1775 to 1781, succeeding the First Continental Congress which met in 1774.
