Understanding the Purpose and Legacy of the Second Continental Congress during the American Revolution

Second Continental Congress

(1775) a meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia to decide how to react to fighting at Lexington and Concord

The Second Continental Congress was a gathering of representatives from the Thirteen Colonies that took place from May 1775 to March 1781 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was convened as a response to the ongoing hostilities between the colonists and the British authorities, which had erupted into armed conflict the previous month with the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.

The main purpose of the Second Continental Congress was to guide the American colonies through the early stages of the war against the British. In the first year of its existence, the Congress assumed control of the colonial militias and authorized the creation of the Continental Army, with George Washington as its commander-in-chief. It also oversaw the production and distribution of arms and supplies, negotiated with foreign powers for support, and issued the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.

In addition to its wartime activities, the Second Continental Congress also played an important role in shaping the future of the United States. It drafted the Articles of Confederation in 1777, which served as the country’s first constitution until it was replaced by the current U.S. Constitution in 1789. The Congress also established several important institutions, including the Marine Corps and the first national government departments.

Overall, the Second Continental Congress was a crucial institution in the early years of the American Revolution and laid the groundwork for the establishment of an independent United States. Its contributions to American history continue to be studied and celebrated today.

More Answers: