What did the second continental congress accomplish when it met in may of 1775?

The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting in the spring of 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, soon after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.

When the Second Continental Congress met in May of 1775, it accomplished several key actions:

1. Managed the Colonial War Effort: The Congress took on the role of a national government, albeit without a formal constitution, organizing the efforts against British rule. It assumed the responsibility for the ongoing war and for the Continental Army, which had been formed by the Massachusetts militia at Lexington and Concord.

2. Appointed George Washington as Commander-in-Chief: On June 14, 1775, the Congress unanimously voted to appoint George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. This decision was pivotal in providing a unified command structure to the colonial military forces.

3. Authorized the Printing of Paper Money: To fund the Continental Army and manage the expenses of the colonial government, Congress authorized the issuance of Continental currency.

4. Established Post Office: The Congress established the Postal System and appointed Benjamin Franklin its first Postmaster General, to ensure communication among the colonies.

5. Olive Branch Petition: The Second Continental Congress also sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III in a final attempt to avoid a full-blown war with Britain. However, this was eventually rejected by the king, solidifying the path to independence.

6. Foreign Alliances and Support: The Congress took the initial steps in securing aid and alliances from foreign powers, which would later be crucial to the success of the American Revolution.

7. Committees of Correspondence: The Congress also supported the creation and operation of Committees of Correspondence, which coordinated the resistance against British policies.