On May 1775, The Second Continental Congress met to discuss some problems that have been going on between Britain and the colonies. After forming the Continental Army and putting George Washington as commander, they tried their best effort to avoid war. So, on July 1775 Congress sent an "Olive Branch Petition" to the king of Britain. This Petition was the Americans trying to make peace and pleaded, they even declared their loyalty to the crown. This "Olive Branch Petition" was their last attempt to find a peaceful end to the revolution.
Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition, it outlined their issues and asked the British government to respond and deal with them. The King didn't like the Americans and this affected his decision over the Petition. He didn't even want to read it, he refused to receive the Olive Branch Petition. Instead he declared the colonies to be in state of rebellion in August. He truly believed the Americans to be in a rebellion and believed it could be ended with military force.
The Olive Branch Petition has been called different names, like for example, The Second Petition to the King and The Humble Petition. Although the King refused the Petition it still served a very important purpose in the Independence. The King's rejection, actually gave John Adams and his radicals a chance they need in order to move forward to the Independence. Even though the Congress did their last effort at ending the war in peace with Britain, which unfortunately, the stubborn King, refused, it was still a success.
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