From Boston to Charleston, the British colonies of North America have awoken to the cry of liberty. For nearly a decade, the tyrannical officers of King George III have sought to extort the colonies to pay for the French and Indian War, violating their Enlightenment rights as Englishmen and denying them the benefits of the war. When British forces attempted to illegally seize the American gunpowder stockpiles, colonial militias faced them head-on in battle at Lexington and Concord, firing the first shots of the war in defense of their freedom. Now, colonial forces have driven the British back to Boston and seized the royal artillery at Fort Ticonderoga, while leaders from across the American colonies have convened in Philadelphia in the Second Continental Congress to discuss what to do next. This committee, comprising the prominent delegates of the Congress and other colonial notables, will identify how to push the British out of North America, establish new systems of government, and determine the fate of the American Revolution.

Topic 1 - Defending our Freedom

While their early victories have inspired confidence, it is clear that colonial armies of undisciplined militias and disorganized minutemen cannot stand up to British regulars in open battle. The Thirteen Colonies urgently need to form a military force and doctrine that can face the redcoats in the field, alongside creative strategies to defend the colonies from the inevitable British counterattack. This committee must also consider how to attract desperately-needed foreign support from Britain’s many rivals, in order to force London to accept any demands.

Topic 2 -  Establishing a New Government

While the Thirteen Colonies may be in rebellion, it is still undecided what they are rebelling for. Some in the colonies argue for a revolution to reinstate their political rights violated by the British, others to restore their economic privileges, while the most radical advocate for full independence. Providing a clear vision for the future of the colonies is a necessity to attract greater support for the revolutionary cause. Likewise, the new systems of colonial administration must balance the need to cooperate in the war effort with the autonomy demanded by each colony, in order to create a truly unified front. 

In-room Director: Ryan Silien

Crisis Director: Luke Fedorchak

JCC Tzar: Nolan Jansorn