They established the Continental Army. They made George Washington General of the Army.
The greatest legacy left by the Second Continental Congress of Philadelphia was the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776, which marked the beginning of a long military dispute between the revolting settlers and English loyalists.
It ended with a resounding victory for the rebels, who founded a Republic (a year before the French Revolution!) In the Americas, guided by the principles of political freedom and the supremacy of the popular will.