The Second Continental Congress and Independence

Students examine how colonial leaders moved from seeking peace to declaring independence, exploring key events and changing perspectives that led to the break with Britain.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students examine the steps taken by colonial leaders toward declaring independence from Britain. First, they review the purpose and accomplishments of the First Continental Congress and reflect on how early leaders responded to growing tensions. Next, students explore the formation of the Second Continental Congress and evaluate its efforts to maintain peace by reading about the Olive Branch Petition. Then, students analyze the factors and key events that contributed to shifting beliefs about independence, including the debates in Congress and the public reactions that followed the Declaration. Finally, the elaborate scene invites students to take on the role of a delegate and reflect on how it may have felt to weigh these experiences and cast a vote for independence in 1776.

Estimated Duration: 45–60 minutes

Vocabulary Words and Definitions

rebellion: an act of resistance against a government or leader
suppress: to stop something by using force or control

Objectives:

Identify key events in the colonies declaring independence from Britain
Evaluate the factors that led colonists to believe in the necessity of separation from Britain

As you have learned, the First Continental Congress met in 1774. Although the delegates agreed to take collective action, tensions with Britain continued to grow. In 1775, colonial leaders gathered once again at what became known as the Second Continental Congress

In this lesson, you will learn how colonial leaders moved from protest to full separation from Britain, and how disagreement gave way to a bold and risky decision.

Objectives:

Identify key events in the colonies declaring independence from Britain
Evaluate the factors that led colonists to believe in the necessity of separation from Britain

Before you explore what happened at the Second Continental Congress, answer the questions about the First Continental Congress to review why they met and the actions they took.

An oil painting shows a man in a blue coat standing and passionately speaking to a group of seated men in a wooden room. Most of the men in the painting are wearing jackets, breeches, and white shirts with ruffled cuffs.

The First Continental Congress (1774)

This review anchors students in a moment when separation from Britain was not yet the goal. The First Continental Congress shows that many colonial leaders still hoped to resolve tensions without breaking away. Use this review to remind students that the idea of independence was not immediate or unanimous. It developed over time as options narrowed and trust collapsed.

Helping students see that shift is essential for understanding the Second Continental Congress. This review prepares them to trace how and why colonists moved from formal requests and protests to the belief that independence was the only remaining path. You might consider holding a brief class discussion about why the First Continental Congress was not yet ready to separate from Britain, and which events they think might have been on the colonists’ minds heading into the Second Continental Congress.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.