The Olive Branch Petition: A Strengthening of the
American Causes for Independence
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: The Olive Branch Petition: A Strengthening of the American Causes for Independence
Pages: 11
Rating: 3 stars
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After our class debate about the colonist’s ideas concerning separation, I began to wonder what avenues were
taken to try to avert war. To find a source pertinent to my interest, I searched the “historymatters.gmu.edu” site
using the key words “Revolutionary War primary document.” I skimmed over Washington’s papers at the Library of
Congress, Martha Ballard’s diary, as well as a few others. Then, I narrowed my search to documents written in 1775
and found link to The Olive Branch Petition in The University of Georgia Tech’s American history documents
database.
In July 1775, The Second Continental Congress convened to discuss possible courses of action following the most
recent battle with Britain at Bunker Hill. Members of the Congress disagreed about what steps to take in dissolving
the confrontation with King George III. Some, such as John Adams, were fed up with decades of British
colonization and were ready for sovereignty, even if at the price of war. Yet Congressional moderates garnered
enough support to attempt one last-ditch effort to stop further bloodshed and end the conflict amicably. The
Congress decided to write yet another letter, send it to London, and hope the King would be receptive. They called
the letter The Olive Branch Petition.
The Olive Branch Petition professed colonial loyalty to his majesty in a final appeal for peaceful reconciliation with
Britain. Fighting with the British had already started with the Battles of Concord, Lexington and Bunker Hill. 1775,
as the British were reeling from an expensive victory at the battle of Bunker Hill, delegates from the middle
colonies (Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York) saw an opportunity to preserve lucrative trade agreements
established with the mother coun...