The Second Continental Congress and Common Sense

Second Continental Congress

Assembly acting as an independent government in 1775.

Continental Army

Army formed by Congress, led by George Washington.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army, veteran of war.

Olive Branch Petition

1775 appeal for peace sent to King George III.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Deadliest battle of the American Revolution, 1775.

Minutemen

Colonial militia ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for independence.

Thomas Paine

Influential writer promoting American independence in 1776.

British Troops

2,400 soldiers faced colonists at Bunker Hill.

Colonial Ammunition

Limited supply led to colonial defeat at Bunker Hill.

"Whites of their eyes"

Colonists' strategy to conserve ammunition during battle.

King George III

British monarch who rejected the Olive Branch Petition.

Paine's Influence

Common Sense shifted public opinion towards independence.

R. Bell

Publisher of Common Sense, despite feuds with Paine.

Liberty (poem)

1736 poem by James Thomson, quoted in Common Sense.

500,000 copies

Total sales of Common Sense in its first year.

Political Pamphlet

Type of publication used by Paine to persuade colonists.

Colonial Loyalties

Many colonists remained loyal to King George III.

Debate in Congress

Radical vs. moderate ideas discussed in 1775.

Bunker Hill Location

Actual site of battle was Breed's Hill.

Colonial Casualties

Colonists lost 450 men at Bunker Hill.

British Casualties

British forces suffered over 1,000 losses at Bunker Hill.

Paine's Anonymity

Paine initially published Common Sense anonymously.

Paine's Legacy

Remembered as a hero despite his later hardships.

Persuasive Writing

Common Sense exemplified the power of written words.

Rebellion Proclamation

King George declared colonies in rebellion after petition.

Committee for Foreign Nations

Congress formed to manage international relations.

Colonial Governance

Paine argued for self-governance free from tyranny.

Historical Context

Events leading to revolution shaped by debates and writings.

Paine's Arguments

Excerpts from Common Sense evaluated in group discussions.

Wool Uniforms

British troops' attire hindered their performance in battle.

Colonial Strategy

Colonists aimed to maximize impact with limited resources.