Page 36 - ASM Book 9/2020

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• JULY 3 - AMERICAN ACTION: General George Washington took command of 17,000 militiamen stationed around Boston which became the Continental Army.
• JULY 5 - AMERICAN ACTION: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition that was addressed to King George III. It expressed hope for a reconciliation with Britain.
• JULY 6 - AMERICAN ACTION: The Second Continental Congress issued a Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms that provided reasons for fighting the British.
• AUGUST - BRITISH ACTION: King George III refused to look at the Olive Branch Petition and instead issued a proclamation that declared the American colonies to be in “open and avowed rebellion.”
Olive Branch Petition
Congress Made One Last Appeal for Peace
The Second Continental Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III on July 5, 1775. Written by John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, the Petition was the last attempt by Congress to seek reconciliation with the British government. The delegates hoped their direct appeal to the King would avoid war.
The King refused to read the petition. Instead, he issued a Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition on August 23, that declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion. This was the same as a declaration of war against the colonists. He also required British subjects to assist in putting down the rebellion.
Two months after his Proclamation of Rebellion, King George addressed Parliament. He accused the colonists of waging war “for the purpose of establishing an independent empire,” blamed them for the “torrent of violence” that had occurred over the years, and vowed to “put a speedy end to these disorders by the most decisive exertions.”
Because of the King’s Proclamation, many colonists decided to become rebellious Americans instead of remaining loyal British subjects.
“We are determined to listen to nothing
from the illegal congress.”
- King George III’s response to the Olive Branch Petition