why did the British condemn the second continental congress as an unlawful assembly and a den of traitors?
The British condemned the Second Continental Congress as an unlawful assembly and a den of traitors primarily because of the growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain during the Revolutionary War era.
To understand why the British held this view, we need to look at the context and events leading up to the Second Continental Congress:
1. The First Continental Congress: In 1774, delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies gathered in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. This meeting was a response to the Intolerable Acts imposed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. The First Continental Congress sought to address grievances and find a peaceful resolution to the growing tensions between the colonies and Britain.
2. The Outbreak of War: Despite the efforts of the First Continental Congress, hostilities continued to escalate between the American colonies and Great Britain. The Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775 marked the start of armed conflict between the American colonists and British forces.
3. Declarations and Calls to Mobilize: Following the battles, the Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, with representatives from all thirteen colonies. The Second Continental Congress became the central governing body for the colonies during the Revolutionary War. It took on significant responsibilities, such as organizing the Continental Army under General George Washington.
Now, let's examine why the British condemned the Second Continental Congress:
1. Legitimacy: The British government saw the Second Continental Congress as an unlawful assembly because it lacked official recognition as a governing body from Britain. As far as the British were concerned, the authority to govern the colonies still rested with the King and Parliament.
2. Loyalty: From the British perspective, the members of the Second Continental Congress were seen as traitors because they were actively opposing British rule. The Congress's actions, such as drafting the Declaration of Independence and issuing calls to mobilize against British forces, were interpreted as acts of rebellion and defiance.
3. Legal Authorities: The British government viewed the delegates of the Second Continental Congress as individuals who had abandoned their legal obligations and responsibilities as British subjects. In their eyes, these delegates were seditious, advocating for independence and seeking to establish a new government separate from British rule.
Overall, the British condemned the Second Continental Congress as an unlawful assembly and a den of traitors due to their refusal to acknowledge the Congress's legitimacy and their belief that the delegates were committing treason by seeking independence from British rule.