key term - Second Continental Congress

Definition

The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen American Colonies that served as the de facto national government of the United States during the American Revolutionary War. It played a crucial role in the formation of the Articles of Confederation, the precursor to the U.S. Constitution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, following the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.
2. The Congress was responsible for establishing the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as its commander-in-chief, and issuing the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
3. The Congress served as the de facto national government of the United States during the Revolutionary War, coordinating the colonies' military efforts and diplomacy.
4. The Congress played a crucial role in the drafting and adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1781, which established the first national government of the United States.
5. The Second Continental Congress continued to meet until it was replaced by the Congress of the Confederation in 1781, following the ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

Review Questions

• Describe the primary functions and responsibilities of the Second Continental Congress during the American Revolutionary War.
  • The Second Continental Congress served as the de facto national government of the United States during the American Revolutionary War. It was responsible for establishing the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as its commander-in-chief, and issuing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Congress also coordinated the colonies' military efforts and diplomacy, playing a crucial role in the overall conduct of the war.
• Explain the relationship between the Second Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States.
  • The Second Continental Congress played a pivotal role in the drafting and adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1781, which established the first national government of the United States. The Congress served as the de facto national government during the Revolutionary War, and the Articles of Confederation were intended to formalize and strengthen this governmental structure after the war. The Articles of Confederation represented a transition from the loosely organized colonial resistance led by the Second Continental Congress to a more centralized, albeit still relatively weak, national government.
• Analyze the significance of the Second Continental Congress in the overall process of American independence and the establishment of the United States as a new nation.
  • The Second Continental Congress played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the formation of the United States as a new nation. By establishing the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as its commander-in-chief, and issuing the Declaration of Independence, the Congress provided the necessary leadership and coordination to organize the colonies' military efforts and formally declare their independence from Great Britain. Additionally, the Congress's role in drafting and adopting the Articles of Confederation laid the foundation for the country's first national government, laying the groundwork for the eventual ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The decisions and actions taken by the Second Continental Congress were instrumental in the transition from a collection of British colonies to an independent, sovereign nation.

Related terms

First Continental Congress:

The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in 1774, which organized colonial resistance to the Intolerable Acts passed by the British Parliament.

Articles of Confederation:

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a loose confederation of sovereign states and served as the national government until it was replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1789.

Declaration of Independence:

The Declaration of Independence was a document adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1776, which declared the Thirteen Colonies independent from Great Britain and established the United States of America as a new nation.