Second Continental Second Continental CongressCongress

Warm Up QuestionsWarm Up Questions

• Explain what happened at the battles of Lexington and Concord.

• Who would you say won these battles? Provide evidence to support your answers.

• What were the main arguments Loyalists and Patriots had. List three for each side.

• What do the colonists need in order to defeat the British military?

After Lexington and After Lexington and ConcordConcord

• Gage moved his soldiers into the city of Boston– Used Boston’s landscape to his advantage– Colonial attack by land impossible– Colonists did not have a navy

• Fort Ticonderoga fell May 10, 1775– Located in northern New York

• Ethan Allen led this attack– His men were known as Green Mountain

Boys

Thomas GageThomas Gage

Ethan AllenEthan Allen• B. January 21, 1738 D. February 12, 1789• Fought in the French and Indian War

– Gained military experience here

• Colonel of the Green Mountain Boys– Vermont’s militia

• May 10, 1775--along with Benedict Arnold--led 83 men to attack and capture Fort Ticonderoga– Arnold did not like the disrespect he received

from the Green Mountain Boys• They mocked him and made fun of him• Led to tensions with Allen

• Offered a position in the continental army, but turned it down

2nd Continental Congress2nd Continental Congress

• Met in Philadelphia, May 10, 1775– Delegates included: John and Samuel Adams,

Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and a new comer: Thomas Jefferson

• Thomas Jefferson– Brilliant writer from Virginia– Wrote: A Summary View of the Rights of

British America• Criticized Monarchies• Warned King George that he was a servant of the

people, not the other way around

2nd Cont. Congress cont..2nd Cont. Congress cont..

• Presided over by John Hancock• They had no legal authority

– Could be put to death if discovered

• Still felt they could make peace--soon this was just a dream

• Future of all Americans depended upon their decisions– What pressure!!!

• Had to address immediate concerns

2nd Cont. Congress2nd Cont. Congress

What They AddressedWhat They Addressed

• 1. Military Crisis– Formed the Continental Army

• Named George Washington commander in chief: • He was a natural choice: knew more about

commanding men then any other colonist• Wore his colonel’s uniform to the congress

– Why???• Very strategic choice

– Prominent Southerner

– Washington and his staff left for Boston in late June

What They Addressed What They Addressed cont..cont..

• 2. Getting troops and supplies– How are we going to get men to fight

and how are we going to get them supplies?

– To get troops--• offered to pay men if they gave 12

months service• After 12 months, the men were free to

leave

What They Addressed What They Addressed cont..cont..

• 3. Financing the War• Attempted to pay by issuing paper

money• Borrowed from colonies and foreign

countries• Paper currency depreciated in value• Raising money was a huge problem

throughout the War– To pay for soldiers, supplies, and arms

Battle of Bunker HillBattle of Bunker Hill

• British forces controlled Boston– No direct assault possible– Boston was impregnable to direct assault– BUT….if the colonists could get the higher

ground, they could use artillery to bomb the British

– Militiamen seized Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill at Charlestown

• Started to build fortifications

– General Gage became alarmed, and worried

Bunker Hill cont..Bunker Hill cont..

• On June 17, 1775 Gage sent men to take the hills

• Twice they went up, and twice the Patriots forced them down

• Finally on the third attempt, the redcoats captured the hills– Only because the militia ran out of

ammunition and was forced to retreat

• Britain won the Battle of Bunker Hill– Or did they???

Aftermath of Bunker HillAftermath of Bunker Hill

• Britain lost over 1000 men out of 2500• Patriots only lost 400• British claimed the hill, but the

Americans were victorious• “They have proved themselves against

professional soldiers and exacted a terrible toll. The day ended in glory, but the loss was uncommon in officers for the number engaged.”--British officer

Battle MapBattle Map

Bunker HillBunker Hill

Bunker Hill monumentBunker Hill monument

Aftermath cont..Aftermath cont..• Battle reduced the slim hope for peace

– So much death left each side determined to win at all cost

• General Gage replaced by General William Howe

• Continental Congress gave the Olive Branch Petition to King George– Last ditched effort at peace: Rejected by the

king

• Congress adopted Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms– Condemned everything Britain had done

since 1763

General William HoweGeneral William Howe

King George’s ReactionKing George’s Reaction

• Announced new measures to punish the colonies– British navy would block American ships

leaving ports– Would send 1000’s of hired Hessian soldiers

to fight in America• German soldiers

– “When once these rebels have felt a smart blow, they will submit”--King George

Declaring IndependenceDeclaring Independence

• They still had thoughts about peace• They loved England and being English

• Two events pushed the colonies to independence in 1776

• 1. Learned about the hiring of Hessian soldiers– They were mercenary soldiers

• Mercenaries reputation was to rape and loot• How could Britain do this?

• 2. Publication of Common Sense written by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine and Thomas Paine and Common SenseCommon Sense