Second Continental Congress

The first meeting of the Second Continental Congress was on May 10, 1775. It is interesting that in that same date American forces captured Fort Ticonderoga. For this time the President of the Congress was John Hancock, who replaced Peyton Randolph in the charge. Most of the delegates from the First Continental Congress went, and they added Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as delegates. This time Georgia sent delegates, but unfortunately they arrived until fall. Many of the delegates hoped that the rupture between the colonies and England could be healed.

The major contributions by the Second Continental Congress were:

·        Military Matters: The congress decided to make an army with the colonists outside of Boston, and to name George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the army. They placed him as the commander-in-chief because they wanted the South to help them, and George Washington was from the South.

·        Statements of Position: There were two petitions to England, one for the king and the other one to state that Americans are willing to achieve independence. The petition to the king was the “Olive Branch Petition”, and the other one was the “Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms”.

·        Financing the War: They attempted to pay the war by issuing paper certificates and by borrowing money. During the war they have problems paying soldiers and purchasing weapons and supplies.

·        Independence: It was a resolution by Richard Henry Lee where he promoted independence if the public opinion thought it would be necessary.

·        Opening of Diplomatic Channels: They send Silas Deane in 1776 to France for supplies, arms and trained European military officers. After him they send Arthur Lee and Benjamin Franklin to close the Franco-American Alliance.

·        Legislation: They propose in July 1776 the Articles of Confederation, the ratification of the articles concluded until 1781.

There were constant fights between the Southern Colonies and the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies always went from one side to another if 

it was good for them.