January 1776 arrived without victory or resolution in the Revolutionary War already underway. British soldiers still occupied Quebec City and Boston in Massachusetts Bay. Royal Navy warships prowled the American coastline like predators. Trade was crippled, towns were destroyed, and Continental Army soldiers—short on supplies and facing an uncertain future—endured a bitter winter in makeshift camps near the front lines.
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delegates to the Second Continental Congress remained deeply divided. New England delegates favored separation, while many others remained committed to sustained dialogue in hopes of restoring their rights as Englishmen. Yet for ordinary Americans—whose homes, livelihoods, and communities were directly impacted by the war—faith in reconciliation collided with the grim realities of violence and military occupation. They were increasingly receptive to a broader set of solutions.
