History of South America

What did the 2nd continental congress do?

The Second Continental Congress met from May 10, 1775, to March 1, 1781, in Philadelphia. It was called in response to the British measures that followed the Boston Tea Party.

Actions and Accomplishments

- Established the Continental Army under George Washington as commander-in-chief

- Created a Committee of Safety to oversee military and naval affairs

- Appointed Benjamin Franklin as postmaster general

- Established a Committee of Secret Correspondence to gather intelligence and conduct diplomatic negotiations

- Adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776

- Ratified the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States

- Negotiated the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States

- Established the Northwest Ordinance, which established a system of government for the Northwest Territory and prohibited slavery in the region