He submitted his constitution to the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. ... Congress was given the power to wage war, make treaties, send diplomats deal with foreign nations, settle criminal disputes at sea, maintain weights and coins, run the post office, make rules for the army and navy, and take loans. ... There was no federal army; instead the nation depended on the state militias for defense in the event of war. To keep unity, states were not allowed to negotiate peace, raise an army, wage war, make alliances, or conduct diplomacy with other states. ...

• Word Count: 732
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

They established a Continental Congress, which "coordinated the colonies resistance to British policies." ... Shortly after his resignation Washington was back on the fighting line, this time as a volunteer, which "enhanced" his reputation and he was soon promoted to "colonel and commander in chief of the Virginia militia." ... During this time Washington knew that the "army must serve the country, not rule it" however he was very aggravated with Congress because they would not help out with his troops needs. ...

• Word Count: 1069
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate