The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, gathering delegates from the Thirteen Colonies in response to the escalating conflict with Great Britain. This assembly followed the earlier First Continental Congress and was uniquely marked by the urgent need to manage growing tensions after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The Congress convened during a time when the Thirteen Colonies were beginning to adopt a more assertive stance against British authority, fueled by the desire for independence and self-governance.

Delegates such as John Hancock, who was elected as president of the Congress, and others like Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, played crucial roles in deliberations. One of the Congress's immediate goals was to organize the colonial military efforts. The Continental Army was established, with George Washington appointed as its commander, symbolizing a pivotal shift from disorganized local militias to a more professional military force aimed at challenging British rule.

The meeting also marked a significant step towards a collective identity among the colonies. Here, the delegates debated various strategies, from seeking reconciliation with the British Crown to pushing for total independence. They also issued the Olive Branch Petition in July, a final attempt to avoid war, although it was rejected by King George III, leading the Congress to fully commit to the cause of independence in subsequent meetings.