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Second Continental Congress Facts & Worksheets

The Second Continental Congress was held in the Independence Hall of Philadelphia on May 10, 1775.

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The Second Continental Congress was held in the Independence Hall of Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. It succeeded the First Continental Congress and preceded the Congress of Confederation in 1781.

See the fact file below for more information on the Second Continental Congress or alternatively, you can download our 23-page Second Continental Congress worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  • On September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, in reaction to the Parliament’s Coercive Acts. Between 1774 and 1789, the Continental Congress served as the governing body of the Thirteen colonies, except Georgia.
  • Among the delegates in the First Continental Congress were future US presidents John Adams and George Washington. The Congress particularly issued the Declaration of Rights which reaffirmed its loyalty to the British Crown, but condemned the Parliament’s imposition of new taxes.
  • On October 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress disbanded after its failed measures to have the Coercive Acts repealed.

THE REVOLUTION AND SECOND CONGRESS

  • On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, days after the armed resistance in the towns of Lexington and Concord.
  • On June 14 1775, the Congress created the Continental Army, led by the Commanding General George Washington. The main aim of the Congress was to fight against the British troops. Side by side, battlefields were occupied by American and British troops. Battles in Brooklyn and Charlestown were won by the British and the rest by the Americans.
  • The following month, John Dickinson penned the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Arms.
  • On June 22, the Congress approved the printing of the first American bills ($1 million) in order to support the ongoing battles. Under their de facto government, they were able to sign treaties, organize armies, appoint ambassadors, and elect delegates. Their alliance with France greatly helped them in battles.
  • The final reconciliation with the British Crown was through the Olive Branch Petition, sent on July 8. King George III refused to repeal the Intolerable Acts and immediately rejected the petition.
  • On January 9 1776, Thomas Paine, a patriot, published his pamphlet called “Common Sense”. It strengthened the separation of the colonies from Britain.
  • By July 4, 1776, the Congress had declared its separation from the British Crown through the Declaration of Independence. It was primarily penned by Thomas Jefferson with the five person committee, including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. It was signed by 56 people representing the united 13 colonies. Delegates from Pennsylvania got the most number of signatories.
  • Before the final draft, Thomas Jefferson made several revisions, including the attack on slavery.
  • On June 14 1777, they passed the Flag Resolution which saw the creation of the first United States flag. The flag was composed of 13 stars representing the 13 colonies, and alternating red and white stripes.
  • The Articles of Confederation were signed by the former colonies on March 1, 1781, and created the real government with legal powers. Later, the Congress of Confederation was established replacing the Second Continental Congress.
  • Given the Declaration of Independence, the Congress was able to seek foreign alliances, including France. In 1778, the Franco-American alliance began and became one of the notable achievements of the Second Continental Congress.
  • In 1783, the Congress led the negotiation for the Treaty of Paris, which would later officially end the war. Among the demands presented by delegates Franklin, Adams, and Jay, first, the recognition of American independence, and second, submission of territories south of Canada and east of the Mississippi River.
  • In 1789, the new US Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, while the Continental Congress was adjourned and replaced by the US Congress.

Second Continental Congress Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Second Continental Congress across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Second Continental Congress worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Second Continental Congress which was held in the Independence Hall of Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. It succeeded the First Continental Congress and preceded the Congress of Confederation in 1781.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Second Continental Congress Facts
  • The Delegates
  • Intolerable Acts
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Teme Tells
  • Continental Leaders to Know
  • The American Flag
  • The Patriots
  • Did You Know?
  • Battles of the Continental Army
  • The Continental and US Congress

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Link will appear as Second Continental Congress Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 25, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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