The Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775, a month after the fighting had begun. One major question to be addressed was whether it was too late for reconciliation. The answer is that it was probably so, but independence was still not yet on the table. But with the British Army in Boston and an American army forming in the field surrounding the city, more and more leaders were beginning to think of a permanent separation.
This second Congress was a more radical and more distinguished group than the members of the First Continental Congress, and in the course of events the Second Congress became, de facto, the government of the United States until the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781. The first of one of its most important actions was to appoint George Washington of Virginia as commander in chief of the Continental Army. His appointment was sponsored by John Adams who wished to make it clear that this was an American Revolution, not just a rebellion in Massachusetts. Feelings of unity among the colonies were certainly beginning to emerge, but each colony was still aware of and protective of its own individual rights.
In addition to pointing Washington as commander in chief, the Congress sent an "Olive Branch Petition" composed by John Dickinson to King George III on July 5. In October or November the Congress officially created a United States Navy and Marine Corps and began to think about establishing friendly relations with other nations. Eventually Congress would dispatch diplomats to negotiate treaties. The Congress also invited Canada to join the rebellion, an offer that was politely refused.
World History
