second continental congress the second continental congress was a convention of delegates from the...
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Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress
The The Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress was a was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that met beginning in May 10, Colonies that met beginning in May 10, 1775, soon after shooting in the 1775, soon after shooting in the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War had begun. had begun.
When the When the Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress convened in May 1775, most delegates convened in May 1775, most delegates followed John Dickinson in his quest to followed John Dickinson in his quest to reconcile with George III of Great Britain. reconcile with George III of Great Britain. However, a smaller group of delegates led However, a smaller group of delegates led by John Adams believed that war was by John Adams believed that war was inevitable inevitable
King George IIIKing George III
The Americans hoped that King George III was not The Americans hoped that King George III was not fully aware of how the Parliament had been fully aware of how the Parliament had been treating the Americans. So they sent the letter treating the Americans. So they sent the letter directly to the King, detailing the abuses they had directly to the King, detailing the abuses they had received from Parliament and from local British received from Parliament and from local British officials. They couched their letter in terms that officials. They couched their letter in terms that placed all the guilt with Parliament and British placed all the guilt with Parliament and British officials such as the Royal Governors. They did officials such as the Royal Governors. They did this so as not to offend the king and in hopes that this so as not to offend the king and in hopes that he, being unaware of the treatment, would come he, being unaware of the treatment, would come to their defense. to their defense.
The Olive Branch Petition was first drafted by The Olive Branch Petition was first drafted by Thomas Jefferson, but John Dickinson found Thomas Jefferson, but John Dickinson found Jefferson’s language too offensive. Dickinson Jefferson’s language too offensive. Dickinson rewrote most of the document, although some of rewrote most of the document, although some of the conclusion remained Jefferson’s . John the conclusion remained Jefferson’s . John Dickinson drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which Dickinson drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which was adopted by the Second Continental Congress was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5 and submitted to King George on July 8, on July 5 and submitted to King George on July 8, 1775. It was an attempt to assert the rights of the 1775. It was an attempt to assert the rights of the colonists while maintaining their loyalty to the colonists while maintaining their loyalty to the British crown. British crown.
To help the King with his plan, Dickinson To help the King with his plan, Dickinson suggested that either the colonists be given suggested that either the colonists be given free trade and taxes equal to those levied on free trade and taxes equal to those levied on the people in Great Britain, or no taxes and the people in Great Britain, or no taxes and strict trade regulations. strict trade regulations.
However, his petition was undermined due However, his petition was undermined due to a confiscated letter of John Adams. John to a confiscated letter of John Adams. John Adams wrote a letter to a friend expressing Adams wrote a letter to a friend expressing his discontent with the Olive Branch Petition. his discontent with the Olive Branch Petition. He wrote war was inevitable and he thought He wrote war was inevitable and he thought the Colonies should have already raised a the Colonies should have already raised a navy and captured British officials. navy and captured British officials.
The The Declaration of the Causes and Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up ArmsNecessity of Taking Up Arms
The The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up ArmsTaking Up Arms was a document issued by the was a document issued by the Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775, to Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775, to explain why the Thirteen Colonies had taken up explain why the Thirteen Colonies had taken up arms in what had become the American arms in what had become the American Revolutionary War, and represents an important Revolutionary War, and represents an important development in the political thought that went into development in the political thought that went into the American Revolution. the American Revolution.
King George refused to read the petition and King George refused to read the petition and on August 23 proclaimed that the colonists on August 23 proclaimed that the colonists had "proceeded to open and avowed had "proceeded to open and avowed rebellion." rebellion."
The King’s rejection gave Adams and others The King’s rejection gave Adams and others who favored revolution the opportunity they who favored revolution the opportunity they needed to push for independence. The needed to push for independence. The rejection of the “olive branch” polarized the rejection of the “olive branch” polarized the issue in the minds of colonists. It suggested issue in the minds of colonists. It suggested that they could either submit unconditionally that they could either submit unconditionally or seek complete independence by war. or seek complete independence by war.
Loyalists – those who favored remaining Loyalists – those who favored remaining with the Britishwith the British
VS VS Patriots – Those who favored independence Patriots – Those who favored independence
and were willing to fight for itand were willing to fight for it
What risks did each side take by declaring What risks did each side take by declaring themselves patriots or Loyalists?themselves patriots or Loyalists?
A. Loss of Property or jobs and position A. Loss of Property or jobs and position which they owed to the kingwhich they owed to the king
B. Their LifeB. Their Life Which side did Native Americans and Which side did Native Americans and
Slaves take and Why?Slaves take and Why? A. British because they would be over run A. British because they would be over run
by colonist and the slaves might be freed if by colonist and the slaves might be freed if Britain wonBritain won
In 1775, Fort Ticonderoga, in disrepair, was still In 1775, Fort Ticonderoga, in disrepair, was still manned by a token force. On May 10, 1775, less manned by a token force. On May 10, 1775, less than one month after the than one month after the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War was ignited with the was ignited with the battles of Lexington and Concordbattles of Lexington and Concord, the British , the British garrison of 48 soldiers was surprised by a small garrison of 48 soldiers was surprised by a small force of force of Green Mountain BoysGreen Mountain Boys, along with militia , along with militia volunteers from volunteers from MassachusettsMassachusetts and and ConnecticutConnecticut, , led by led by Ethan AllenEthan Allen and and Benedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold..
ImportanceImportance
With the capture of the fort, the With the capture of the fort, the PatriotPatriot forces obtained a large supply of cannons forces obtained a large supply of cannons and other armaments, much of which and other armaments, much of which Henry KnoxHenry Knox transported to transported to BostonBoston during during the winter of 1775–1776. Ticonderoga's the winter of 1775–1776. Ticonderoga's cannons were instrumental in ending the cannons were instrumental in ending the Siege of BostonSiege of Boston when they were used to when they were used to fortify Dorchester Heightsfortify Dorchester Heights
Beginning in July 1775, Ticonderoga was Beginning in July 1775, Ticonderoga was used as a used as a staging areastaging area for the for the invasion of Quebecinvasion of Quebec to begin in September. to begin in September. Under the leadership of generals Under the leadership of generals Philip SchuylerPhilip Schuyler and and Richard MontgomeryRichard Montgomery, , men and materiel for the invasion men and materiel for the invasion accumulated there through July and August accumulated there through July and August
On August 28, after receiving word that On August 28, after receiving word that British forces at British forces at Fort Saint-JeanFort Saint-Jean, not far from , not far from the New York–the New York–QuebecQuebec border, were nearing border, were nearing completion of boats to launch onto Lake completion of boats to launch onto Lake Champlain, Montgomery launched the Champlain, Montgomery launched the invasion, leading 1,200 troops down the lake invasion, leading 1,200 troops down the lake
Ticonderoga continued to serve as a staging Ticonderoga continued to serve as a staging base for the action in Quebec until the base for the action in Quebec until the battle and siege at Quebec Citybattle and siege at Quebec City that resulted that resulted in Montgomery's death. in Montgomery's death.
In May 1776, British troops began to arrive at In May 1776, British troops began to arrive at Quebec CityQuebec City, where they broke the , where they broke the Continental ArmyContinental Army's siegeThe British chased the 's siegeThe British chased the American forces back to Ticonderoga in June, American forces back to Ticonderoga in June, and, after several months of shipbuilding, moved and, after several months of shipbuilding, moved down Lake Champlain under down Lake Champlain under Guy CarletonGuy Carleton in in October. The British destroyed a small fleet of October. The British destroyed a small fleet of American American gunboatsgunboats in the in the Battle of Battle of ValcourValcour Island Island in mid-October, but snow was already falling, so in mid-October, but snow was already falling, so the British retreated to winter quarters in Quebec. the British retreated to winter quarters in Quebec.
Early BattlesEarly Battles
Bunker HillBunker Hill
Date: Date: 17th June 1775 17th June 1775
Place: Place: On the Charlestown Peninsula on the North On the Charlestown Peninsula on the North side of Boston Harbour.side of Boston Harbour.
Combatants: Combatants: British troops of the Boston garrison British troops of the Boston garrison against troops of the American Continental Army.against troops of the American Continental Army.
Generals: Generals: Major General Howe against General Major General Howe against General Artemas Ward and General Israel PutnamArtemas Ward and General Israel Putnam
Size of the armies: Size of the armies: 2,400 British troops against 2,400 British troops against 1,500 Americans.1,500 Americans.
Uniforms, arms and equipment: Uniforms, arms and equipment: The British The British grenadiers, light infantry and battalion company grenadiers, light infantry and battalion company men wore red coats, the headgear of the men wore red coats, the headgear of the companies, bearskin fronted mitre caps, tricorne companies, bearskin fronted mitre caps, tricorne hats and caps, and were armed with muskets and hats and caps, and were armed with muskets and bayonets. The British had light guns and were bayonets. The British had light guns and were supported by the heavy guns of the fleet. The supported by the heavy guns of the fleet. The Americans were armed with muskets or whatever Americans were armed with muskets or whatever firearms they could obtain, a few bayonets and firearms they could obtain, a few bayonets and some light guns.some light guns.
Overlooking Boston
Account: Account: With the outbreak of the war General Gage, the British With the outbreak of the war General Gage, the British commander in chief, found himself blockaded in Boston by commander in chief, found himself blockaded in Boston by the American Continental Army, occupying the hills to the the American Continental Army, occupying the hills to the West of the city. Gage resolved to seize the Charlestown West of the city. Gage resolved to seize the Charlestown peninsula across the harbour. Before he could act, on the peninsula across the harbour. Before he could act, on the night of 16th June 1775 around 1,500 American troops of night of 16th June 1775 around 1,500 American troops of the Massachusetts regiments and Putnam’s Connecticut the Massachusetts regiments and Putnam’s Connecticut regiment occupied Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill on the regiment occupied Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill on the peninsula. The American troops began to build a redoubt peninsula. The American troops began to build a redoubt on Breed’s Hill. The fortification was complete by the on Breed’s Hill. The fortification was complete by the morning, after a night of frenzied work. The presence of the morning, after a night of frenzied work. The presence of the Americans on the peninsula was observed by His Majesty’s Americans on the peninsula was observed by His Majesty’s Ship Lively which opened fire on them.Ship Lively which opened fire on them.
Plans were hurriedly put in motion by the British to Plans were hurriedly put in motion by the British to attack the Americans and drive them from their attack the Americans and drive them from their position. Major General Howe, one of the three position. Major General Howe, one of the three generals sent from Britain to assist General Gage, generals sent from Britain to assist General Gage, was given the command. While the preparations was given the command. While the preparations were in train the Americans extended their were in train the Americans extended their fortifications from the redoubt to the sea shore, to fortifications from the redoubt to the sea shore, to prevent a flank attack. More American troops prevent a flank attack. More American troops gathered on Bunker Hill but few of them could be gathered on Bunker Hill but few of them could be persuaded to move to the forward positions on persuaded to move to the forward positions on Breed’s Hill.Breed’s Hill.
The Death of General Warren
Howe landed with his force on the southern shore Howe landed with his force on the southern shore of the peninsular and directed the light infantry to of the peninsular and directed the light infantry to attack the section of American line at the sea attack the section of American line at the sea shore. Gage and Howe would have been well shore. Gage and Howe would have been well advised to have landed in the rear of the American advised to have landed in the rear of the American position.. It is likely that the British senior officers position.. It is likely that the British senior officers discounted the ability of the American troops to discounted the ability of the American troops to resist a frontal attack and overestimated the ability resist a frontal attack and overestimated the ability of their own troops to make one. of their own troops to make one.
British Grenadiers attack the British Grenadiers attack the redoubt on Breed's Hillredoubt on Breed's Hill
The light infantry column was repelled with heavy The light infantry column was repelled with heavy casualties. General Howe now launched a frontal casualties. General Howe now launched a frontal assault on the redoubt with the main body of his assault on the redoubt with the main body of his troops. This attack was driven back with heavy troops. This attack was driven back with heavy loss, in spite of an American shortage of loss, in spite of an American shortage of ammunition. During the attack the British left wing ammunition. During the attack the British left wing suffered from the fire of Americans in the town of suffered from the fire of Americans in the town of Charlestown and the town was set ablaze Charlestown and the town was set ablaze
The attacks should have been preceded by The attacks should have been preceded by a bombardment from the field artillery but it a bombardment from the field artillery but it was found that the 6 pounder guns had was found that the 6 pounder guns had been supplied with 12 pounder balls. been supplied with 12 pounder balls.
A second attack was launched along the A second attack was launched along the length of the American entrenchments and length of the American entrenchments and was again driven back with heavy loss. was again driven back with heavy loss.
A final attack was made, concentrating on A final attack was made, concentrating on the redoubt and centre of the American the redoubt and centre of the American position. The American ammunition was all position. The American ammunition was all but exhausted and this final assault carried but exhausted and this final assault carried the redoubt, forcing the Americans to retreat the redoubt, forcing the Americans to retreat and leave the peninsula. They were not and leave the peninsula. They were not vigorously pursued.vigorously pursued.
The British attack on Breed's HillThe British attack on Breed's Hill
Casualties:Casualties:
The British suffered some 1,150 killed and The British suffered some 1,150 killed and wounded or nearly half of the force wounded or nearly half of the force engaged. The American casualties were engaged. The American casualties were estimated at 450 killed and wounded. estimated at 450 killed and wounded.
Follow-up:Follow-up:
The British took over the Bunker and Breed’s Hill The British took over the Bunker and Breed’s Hill positions and fortified them, holding them until positions and fortified them, holding them until they evacuated Boston at the end of the year. The they evacuated Boston at the end of the year. The battle was the first action for the Continental Army battle was the first action for the Continental Army and showed how much work there was to be done and showed how much work there was to be done in molding an effective army. While most of the in molding an effective army. While most of the soldiers in the entrenched works fought soldiers in the entrenched works fought tenaciously, the intended reinforcements on tenaciously, the intended reinforcements on Bunker Hill refused to advance to the support of Bunker Hill refused to advance to the support of their comrades and there was the greatest their comrades and there was the greatest confusion between the officers as to precedence. confusion between the officers as to precedence.
The British attack on Breed's Hill The British attack on Breed's Hill seen from behind Charlestownseen from behind Charlestown
The battle had a number of lessons for the British. The battle had a number of lessons for the British. The senior officers had little idea how to conduct a The senior officers had little idea how to conduct a battle with any degree of sophistication. Howe battle with any degree of sophistication. Howe learned his mistake in making a frontal assault. At learned his mistake in making a frontal assault. At every subsequent battle, where possible he every subsequent battle, where possible he carried out flanking assaults. The British troops carried out flanking assaults. The British troops were undisciplined and disorganized. The guns for were undisciplined and disorganized. The guns for which the wrong ammunition was provided were which the wrong ammunition was provided were almost certainly battalion weapons manned by foot almost certainly battalion weapons manned by foot rather than Royal Artillery. rather than Royal Artillery.
For both sides Bunker Hill was the start of a For both sides Bunker Hill was the start of a journey in military education. journey in military education.
General Israel Putnam
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”