The Second Continental Congress

8–11 minutes

Recap

In the previous post, we wrapped up the main series of rebellions that led up to the official start of the American Revolution.

A Series of Rebellions Part I

In 1775, the Colonists met the British force with their own. After the Boston Massacre and a fatal status of conflict finally being reached, the colonies created more stockpiles of goods and coordinated their efforts accordingly. Among their stockpiles, were mounds of weapons that were hidden from the British soldiers.

A Series of Rebellions Part II

Eventually, the Brits caught wind of a stash of weaponry in Concord, Massachusetts, and of course, went to confiscate it. However, the Colonists with their coordinated efforts kept a watchful eye on them as they marched.

As the British arrived within Lexington at the Lexington Green, the Minutemen met them there. Holding their ground, the 80 knew they were outnumbered by the British 700. When told to retreat, they slowly began to obey. Until a single, anonymous shot was fired. Open fire between both sides quickly followed, along with a surprising level of colonial resistance.

The anonymous shot has been infamously labelled as “the shot heard around the world.” This shot was not only the beginning of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, but the beginning of the American Revolution.

A Series of Rebellions Part III

What Was the Second Continental Congress

Previously, they had met in the First Continental Congress in 1774 to discuss and confront the Crown about their impositions. During this single session, they decided that if the British could continue with their oppressive behavior, they would reconvene.

Their promise to reconvene was fulfilled after the Battle of Lexington and Concord. A month later in May 1775, all 13 colonies sent their delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Second Continental Congress began on May 10, 1775 with ~60 delegates in attendance to represent each of the 13 colonies. This was a ‘de facto’ unilateral government that was meant to guide Colonial America through the Revolution.

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What about the First Congress?

The First Continental Congress was incredibly important, but it did not establish or create as much precedent as the Second.

The First Continental Congress met for a single session from September 5 to October 26, 1774, with delegates from all colonies except Georgia. Georgia chose not to participate due to hesitation of turning against the British as the newest colony.

The First Congress was created to establish the first official, unified boycott against the British. Most importantly, the Continental Association and further development of the Committees of Correspondence were started to facilitate boycotts and planning between colonies.

They also sent the Declaration of Rights Grievances and a formal appeal to petition the Intolerable Acts place on the colonies. The Declaration was to assert rights as colonists with life, liberty and property, and no taxation without representation.

Finally, the First Continental Congress established that if the King ignored their assertions, they would meet again. Hence, the meeting right after the first battle of the American Revolution.

What Was Established

The Second Continental Congress conducted 6 recorded sessions between May 10, 1775 to March 1, 1781. Some historical accounts claim there are 8, but that number comes from recognizing different locations and extended breaks. Here, 6 sessions were deemed appropriate due to the formal count.

The most notable and remembered actions of this Congress occurred during the first session: May 10, 1775 – Dec 12, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Continental Army

The first decision made by the delegates was establishing the Continental Army in June 14, 1775. The Congress adopted the New England Army of Observation. This Army was created in Massachusetts after the build up of tension. The most notable British/Colonial conflicts occurred within the New England area, so their militia proved to be developed enough to have their methods adopted for the rest of the country.

The Appointment of the Commander and Chief

The next day, on June 15, 1775, the Congress appointed George Washington as the Commander and Chief of the Continental Army. Washington had extensive experience representing Virginia in the House of Burgesses, leading in the French and Indian War, and more, he was found as the best choice to lead the Army with a well-rounded understanding.

Continental Currency

On May 10, 1775, the decision to authorize the printing of Continental Money was made. This set the stage for the American Dollar, which was established in a later session of the Second Continental Congress. On June 22, 1775 the Congress printed $2 million in “bills of credit” to help finance the Revolutionary War. This was important to buy equipment, pay soldiers, etc.

The Invasion of Quebec

The Congress authorized the invasion of Quebec on June 27, 1775. One of the main goals of this invasion was to persuade the French Canadians to help the colonies in the Revolution. A small number assisted but ultimately this was a failed attempt.

The Olive Branch Petition

The Olive Branch Petition was a last effort to avoid an all-out-war with the British. The draft was approved on July 5 and officially signed to send on July 8, 1775. The Petition was meant to reconcile and keep peace, and the Colonists expressed they were still willing to be loyal to the crown, but they wanted the respect of British Citizens (document linked from Founders Archives). Unfortunately, the King never recognized the document and issued a Proclamation of Rebellion in August 1775.

The Post System

On July 26, 1775, the postal system was created with Benjamin Franklin the first postmaster general. Franklin and the other members worked to make a new routes and improved the delivery methods. This was important because there was a need for efficient correspondence between the colonial leaders.

The Continental Navy and Marine Corps

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Navy was formed. On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was also established. With the Colonies fighting forces from across the Atlantic, power on the water was crucial for their success.

The Committees of Secret Correspondence

On November 29, 1775 the special committee called The Committees of Secret Correspondence was formed. As we mentioned before, there was a Committee of Correspondence already established after the Boston Massacre that facilitated correspondence between leaders. The Committees of Secret Correspondence was led by Benjamin Franklin (also Postmaster General) and was meant only for corresponding with their allies within foreign lands. This eventually became the Committee for Foreign Affairs.

The Declaration of Independence

Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of the Second Continental Congress, was the Declaration of Independence. On June 10, the Congress created a group of 5 delegates to begin drafting. These included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Rodger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. The beginning drafts were created by Thomas Jefferson by the end of June 1776 and reviewed by the other members, then it was presented to the Congress (A transcription of the first draft can be found linked below by Loc.gov).

After a 3 day debate, the Congress voted, and on July 2 the Congress voted to officially separate themselves from British rule. It was on July 4, 1776 that the final draft was completed, copied, and sent around the colonies. The Declaration was never actually sent to King George III, but with copies circulating, the King eventually got his hands on one around August 1776.

The Beginning Drafts of the Articles of Confederation

On July 22, 1776, the Second Continental Congress began drafting the Articles of Confederation. It would not be adopted until later, but this marked the beginning of America’s first Constitution. With John Dickinson of Delaware the lead writer, America’s first form of government was beginning.

Other Sessions

There were 5 other documented sessions for the Second Continental Congress:

#2 in Baltimore, Maryland: December 20, 1776 – February 27, 1777

Congress focused almost entirely on stabilizing the war effort during one of its most desperate moments: Washington’s army had suffered major defeats in New York, morale was collapsing, enlistments were expiring, soldiers were deserting, and the British seemed on the verge of ending the rebellion. The Congress even left Philadelphia for safety.

With the Continental Army beginning to collapse after the loss of New York, Congress granted Washington expanded emergency powers, pushed for new enlistments, and authorized rapid supply efforts. These decisions directly supported Washington’s turnaround victories at Trenton and Princeton.

#3 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: March 1, 1777 – September 27, 1777

Congress returned to Philadelphia and shifted back into a more structured administration. They continued financing the army, strengthened foreign negotiations (especially with France), and oversaw preparations for defending the capital. As British forces advanced toward Philadelphia later that year, Congress prepared for evacuation once again.

#4 in Lancaster Pennsylvania: September 27, 1777

This was a one-day emergency meeting held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With British troops pushing through the Revolutionary War (stay tuned for a full Revolutionary War breakdown!), the Congress briefly convened to ensure government continuity and immediately decided to relocate farther west to York, where they could safely resume work.

#5 in York, Pennsylvania: September 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778

While meeting in York, Congress completed one of its most important achievements: formally debating, revising, and approving the Articles of Confederation (stay tuned for a full Breakdown on the AOC). They also received news of the victory at Saratoga and finalized diplomatic agreements with France, securing badly needed military and financial support.

#6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: July 1778 – March 1, 1781

Back in Philadelphia, Congress governed through the middle and later years of the war. They managed deteriorating finances, coordinated military strategy alongside French allies, and oversaw foreign diplomacy with multiple nations. This session continued until all states ratified the Articles of Confederation, officially transitioning the Second Continental Congress into the Congress of the Confederation in 1781.

This Congress lasted until 1781, when the Articles of Confederation created a new structure for the newly independent America – The United States Congress.

What Wasn’t Mentioned

This breakdown covers only the major turning points and most influential decisions made during the Second Continental Congress. However, the full historical record is far more detailed and layered.

Countless debates, votes, meetings, drafts, revisions, and conflicts occurred to make the decisions that were made here. Dozens of additional resolutions were proposed, altered, or rejected. Delegates frequently shifted positions, alliances formed and dissolved, and local politics from each colony shaped how representatives voted on most issues.

Plus, there were also many ongoing international considerations, diplomatic efforts, financial struggles, military logistics, and interpersonal disputes among delegates that influenced the direction of Congress but were not included here. These complexities are important, but they go beyond the scope of this simplified overview.

The goal of this post is to highlight the essential actions and developments that most directly shaped the path to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence, while recognizing that many other significant events and nuances remain part of the broader historical story.

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The Declaration of Independence

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