Final answer:
The Second Continental Congress addressed the insufficient Conciliatory Proposition from Britain and, realizing that reconciliation was no longer a possibility, it began preparing for war by funding military supplies, forming a continental army, appointing George Washington as commander-in-chief, and eventually declaring independence with the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Step-by-step explanation:
In May 1775, following the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress convened with the primary task of addressing Britain's Conciliatory Proposition, and more pressingly, overseeing the war efforts as conflict had already begun. The proposition from Lord North, suggesting that taxes be used solely for regulating trade and that internally collected taxes be given back to the colonies contingent on their help in defraying protection expenses, was deemed insufficient and came too late to prevent the escalating hostilities. The Congress, influenced by the assertive stance of leaders like Patrick Henry and recognizing the pessimism of reconciliatory figures like John Dickinson, moved towards a more radical position. It became evident to the delegates that attempts at reconciliation were futile and that independence was the only viable option. This resulted in the creation of a committee to draft a statement for independence, leading to the release of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. However, prior to this declaration, the Congress took decisive steps to prepare for war, including the authorization of funds for gunpowder, the establishment of a continental army, the appointment of George Washington as commander-in-chief, and the release of bills of credit to finance the conflict. Its role in leading the war effort and providing governance for the new American states continued until it was replaced by the Confederation Congress in 1781, which sought to create a more inclusive national government to succeed diplomatically and to manage the states' collective defense and wellbeing.