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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Second Continental Congress

For Students 5th - 8th
The Second Continental Congress was the die cast into the river of Revolution. Read about the decisions made and the actions taken in preparation for declaring independence.
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Primary
PublicBookshelf Corporation

What Is the Second Continental Congress?

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed description of the events and issues at the Second Continental Congress in 1775 in Philadelphia. Excerpt is from "Our Country" published in 1877.
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Article
A&E Television

History.com: What Did the Three Continental Congresses Do?

For Students 9th - 10th
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress became America's de facto government. Over a period of 15 years, from 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress underwent a profound evolution. Starting out as a temporary group that...
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Primary
Yale University

Journals of the Continental Congress 1774 1789

For Students 9th - 10th
Selected documents written by the Continental Congress in the late eighteenth century. Covers actions passed and resolved on preparation for war with Britain, George Washington's appointment as Commander-in-Chief, Articles of War against...
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774 1789

For Students 9th - 10th
Link directly to hypertext versions of the minutes recorded at the First and Second Continental Congresses. Included are the words of the various factions within the Congresses and the final resolutions that were passed, and then sent to...
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Activity
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: The Continental Army and the Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed description of the events in and around the formation and support of The Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.
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Website
US Department of State

Office of the Historian: Continental Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
The roots of our government began with the Continental Congress. Examine the roles this Congress played in the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Revolution: Continental Congress [Pdf]

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines the rules by which the Continental Congress governed colonial America. Learners will identify people who held positions of leadership...
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Primary
University of Oklahoma

Chronology of Us Documents: Declaration of the Causes, Taking Up Arms (1775)

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete text of the "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms" written by Thomas Jefferson and Colonel John Dickinson and approved by the Second Continental Congress in July 1775 to communicate and explain their...
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: American Revolution for Kids: The Continental Congress

For Students 4th - 8th
Kids learn about The Continental Congress meetings; major events in the American Revolutionary War.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Etc: Maps Etc: Second Continental Congress, 1775

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of the thirteen colonies during the Second Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in 1775, showing the number of delegates from each of the colonies.
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Handout
Other

Historical Narratives of Early Canada: One Kingdom Divisible

For Students 9th - 10th
This web page examines Benjamin Franklin, the Boston Tea Party, First Continental Congress, and the Second Continental Congress in 1775, where Canadians were invited to attend. Learn more about the flow of revolution and loyalty on each...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Revolution Begins

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the final events leading to military skirmishes between British soldiers and American militia leading to Second Continental Congress official declaration of war.
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Handout
Other

Colonial Hall: Richard Henry Lee

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a detailed biography of Richard Henry Lee, including his role in the Virginia House of Burgesses, second Continental Congress, and American independence.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: E Pluribus Unum

For Students 5th - 8th
The fact that the Second Continental Congress convened was evidence that the colonists had had enough from the British Parliament. Read about the ways the colonies finally began to work together and focus on a common plan, resulting in...
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Primary
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states " Congress...
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Website
US Department of State

Office of the Historian: Secret Committee of Correspondance

For Students 9th - 10th
Handling foreign affairs was tricky business in the years directly preceding the Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress came up with various methods such as a secret committee to communicate with Britain and other countries. Read...
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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: Causes/necessity of Arms

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete text of the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, ratified July 6,1775.
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Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Independence

For Students 3rd - 8th
Travel back in American history to the time of the thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch, and discover how the Declaration of Independence was created.
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Unknown Type
Quia

Quia: Building of the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Quiz yourself on how well you know the events leading up to writing the United States Constitution.
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Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Articles of Confederation Adopted Nov. 15, 1777

For Students 3rd - 5th
This informative and easy-to-read site contains information about how the United States formed its first government under the Articles of Confederation. From the Library of Congress
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Primary
Massachusetts Historical Society

Mhs: Coming of the American Revolution: Declarations of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Features the history behind the document that "shaped the course of American history" and gave Americans their independence. Includes many supporting original documents and teacher resources.
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Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: Slavery: A Crisis in the Making [Pdf]

For Teachers 5th
This lesson plan looks at the issue of slavery and the role it played in the American Revolution and the founding of the new Republic. Includes background information for the teacher. Students participate in performing a reader's theater...
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Online/the American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Information packed game that takes you on a journey through the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, the Revolutionary War itself, and beyond to the Bill of Rights. Hyperlinks to other articles in this great site.