Move towards Independence 1774-1776

Question 1

The Second Continental Congress- when did they meet?

Answer 1

10th May 1775

Question 2

List the key Details of the Second Continental Congress.

Answer 2

65 delegates attended
All 13 colonies represented
50 of the delegates had been at the first congress
Newcomers included- Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson

Question 3

What happened after the clash at Lexington?

Answer 3

An army of militia and volunteers had besieged Boston and the Rebellion was spreading.
Volunteers under Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allan took British Fort Ticonderoga in upper New York
Gained a cannon large enough to bombard Boston
British refusals to talk peace
More talk of separation from Britain
Unrest spreading to the South

Question 4

What was the role of Congress in this time period?

Answer 4

Take charge of the conduct of the war
Very little agreement about declaring independence.
Some delegates were forbidden to support moves for induvidual colonies to reject British rule and form their own governments and assemblies.

Question 5

What did the flight of the governors make congress do?

Answer 5

Establish legitimate authority