Second Continental Congress - 06/15/25

Second Continental Congress

Met in May 1775 to continue organizing colonial resistance

Returning members

George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee

New members

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock

Continental Army

Created to replace ineffective militias

Army leader

George Washington, chosen for his military background

Washington’s first action

United militia groups in Massachusetts

Colonial currency

Congress created first American money to replace British currency

Post office

Built to deliver info faster, led by Benjamin Franklin

Olive Branch Petition

Written in 1775 to ask King George III for peace

Petition goal

Offer a meeting to stop fighting and work things out

Petition result

King George III rejected the peace offer

Why it mattered

Congress took on leadership, showing the colonies were acting like a government