A Year Before Declaring Independence, Colonists Offered ‘Olive Branch’ Petition to King George III
- The Olive Branch Petition was ratified on July 5, 1775, by the Continental Congress, marking its 250th anniversary this month.
- John Dickinson authored the Olive Branch Petition as a final plea to reconcile with Britain and was known as the 'Penman of the Revolution.'
- The petition included points about British injustices while acknowledging the king's benevolence.
- John Adams described a strategy of 'peace through strength,' which required both resolve and compromise, as holding 'the sword in one hand, the olive branch in the other.
27 Articles
27 Articles

A year before declaring independence, colonists offered 'Olive Branch' petition to King George III
Millions of protesters have denounced President Donald Trump as a would-be autocrat and marched under the banner “No Kings.”
The 1775 Two Step That Led To American Independence - Nemos News Network
Authored by Jim Bovard As Americans prepare to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we should also toast the 250th anniversary of a savvy political two-step that paved the way to formally breaking with Britain the following year. “We, your Majesty’s faithful subjects…” began the petition beseeching reconciliation with King George from the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775. That offering became known as t…
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