Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Second Continental Congress (1775)
An overview of the Second Continental Congress (1775).
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Journals of the Continental Congress
A comprehensive list of links to the original text of the official journals of the proceedings of the First and Second Continental Congresses.
University of North Carolina
American Self Government: The First & Second Continental Congress [Pdf]
Looks at the significant events and decisions of the First and Second Continental Congresses that piloted the movement towards self-government.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Second Continental Congress
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.
Yale University
Journals of the Continental Congress 1774 1789
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...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Revolution: Continental Congress [Pdf]
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...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: Second Continental Congress, 1775
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.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Revolution Begins
Overview of the final events leading to military skirmishes between British soldiers and American militia leading to Second Continental Congress official declaration of war.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: E Pluribus Unum
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...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Declaration of Independence
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...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Independence
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.
Quia
Quia: Building of the Constitution
Quiz yourself on how well you know the events leading up to writing the United States Constitution.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Articles of Confederation Adopted Nov. 15, 1777
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
PBS
Pbs Online/the American Revolution
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.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: James Wilson (1742 1798)
Article presenting two somewhat contrasting biographies of James Wilson, who was a lawyer, member of the Second Continental Congress and later became a Supreme Court Justice.
Digital History
Digital History: The Age of Constitution Writing [Pdf]
See how colonial and state constitutions differed and how the idea of a social contract between a government and its citizens is reflected in the state constitutions. The second half of this site gives an abbreviated text of the Articles...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Abraham Baldwin 1754 1807
Baldwin was born at Guilford, Conn., in 1754, the second son of a blacksmith who fathered 12 children by 2 wives. Besides Abraham, several of the family attained distinction. His sister Ruth married the poet and diplomat Joel Barlow, and...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Lee Resolution (1776)
The Our Documents group offers information on Richard Henry Lee's 1776 resolution proposing colonial independence. See the original document, read the transcript, and download a printer-friendly version.
Digital History
Digital History: Declaring Independence [Pdf]
Follow the steps that Americans took before declaring their independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence set out the ideals and reasons behind this stunning move. Use the student exercises to understand the different levels...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Revolution Begins
General Thomas Gage, an amiable English gentleman with an American-born wife, commanded the garrison at Boston, where political activity had almost wholly replaced trade. Gage's main duty in the colonies had been to enforce the Coercive...
Other
Object of History: Jefferson Desk (Desk on Which the Declaration Was Drafted)
Provides information on the desk that Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Declaration of Independence
The idea behind the Declaration of Independence and the process of writing it involved a great deal of thought and hand-wringing. Read about the three separate parts of the declaration, and the audiences for which the document was aimed.
Curated OER
Etc: New Settlements & Proposed Comm in the West, 1775 1782
A map of the new settlements and proposed communities in the Tennessee and Kentucky country between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River, from 1775 to 1782. The map shows the proposed proprietary colony of Transylvania under Judge...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in New Jersey: Liberty Hall
Home of William Livingston, member of the first and second Continental Congress, signer of the Constitution, and first elected Governor of New Jersey. Now called Liberty Hall and part of the Kean University.