Final answer:
The Olive Branch Petition was an attempt to reconcile with King George III, which failed, whereas Common Sense by Thomas Paine advocated for independence, helping to pave the way for the Declaration of Independence. The Prohibitory Act was not drafted by the Second Continental Congress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Olive Branch Petition and Common Sense
The Olive Branch Petition was a last effort by the Second Continental Congress to avoid a full-on war with Great Britain. Despite expressing loyalty to King George III and desiring to prevent further hostilities, the king rejected the petition and declared the colonies in rebellion. This spurred the colonies further towards independence. In parallel, Thomas Paine's Common Sense was a powerful pamphlet that influenced public opinion away from monarchy. Advocating for an independent republican government, Common Sense became extremely popular and helped in setting the stage for the Declaration of Independence.
Both the Olive Branch Petition and Common Sense played pivotal roles during the movement towards independence from 1775 to 1776, shaping the course of the American Revolution.
Regarding the Exercise 8.1.2, the document not drafted by the Second Continental Congress was the Prohibitory Act.