Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What significant assembly convened in Philadelphia in 1775 and later took on the role of revolutionary government?

1. The First Continental Congress

2. The Second Continental Congress

3. The Continental Congress of 1787

4. The Constitutional Convention

The correct answer is: The Second Continental Congress

The assembly that convened in Philadelphia in 1775 and later took on the role of revolutionary government was the Second Continental Congress. This gathering was pivotal in American history, as it marked the emergence of a unified colonial response to British rule. Initially convened to address grievances related to the Intolerable Acts, it soon took on a broader mandate, particularly after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. The Second Continental Congress was responsible for several key actions that helped shape the direction of the American Revolution. It managed the colonial war effort, adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and acted as the de facto national government throughout the conflict. Under its guidance, the Continental Army was established, and George Washington was appointed as its commander. In contrast, the First Continental Congress, which met in 1774, primarily focused on addressing colonial grievances and organizing a collective response to British policies but did not assume the same level of governance. The Continental Congress of 1787 is often associated with drafting the U.S. Constitution, and the Constitutional Convention was held in the same year to address the governance of the newly independent nation. Therefore, the significant assembly that undertook revolutionary governance during the American Revolution is indeed the Second Continental Congress.