What Was The Lee Resolution?

July 5, 2024
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The Lee Resolution, also known as the resolution of independence, was an act of the Second Continental Congress declaring the Thirteen Colonies to be independent of the British Empire. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia first proposed it on June 7, 1776.

Key Points

The resolution declared that the Thirteen Colonies were “free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved”.
The resolution also called for measures to be taken to procure the assistance of foreign powers and for a Confederation to be formed to bind the colonies more closely together.
The Lee Resolution was introduced on June 7, 1776, and was referred to a committee composed of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson to draft a formal declaration of independence.
The resolution was debated and voted on on July 2, 1776, with 12 colonial delegations voting in favor of it, and the New York delegates abstaining.

Resolution for Independence

The Lee Resolution, also known as the Resolution for Independence, was a pivotal document in American history. Here’s what it was all about:

Authored by Richard Henry Lee: Drafted by Virginian delegate Richard Henry Lee, it was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776.
Declaring Independence: The resolution formally declared the Thirteen Colonies to be independent of Great Britain.
Three Parts: Lee’s resolution actually had three parts:
1. Independence: The first part declared the colonies free and independent states.
2. Foreign Alliances: The second part called for forming alliances with other countries.
3. Confederation: The third part proposed creating a plan to unite the colonies more closely.
Debate and Delay: Not all colonies were ready to vote for independence immediately. After some discussion, they postponed the vote on the first clause (independence) to allow for more time to persuade undecided delegates.
Adoption and Legacy: Finally, on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress passed the first part of the Lee Resolution, essentially declaring independence. This paved the way for the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted two days later on July 4th.

The Lee Resolution marked a critical step towards American independence. It initiated the formal process of separation from Britain and served as a foundation for the Declaration of Independence.

What Did The Resolution Say That Lee Wrote

According to the search results, Lee’s resolution declared:

“That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; that measures should be immediately taken for procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and a Confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely together.”

This resolution was introduced by Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776, and was later adopted by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776.