By 1774 it seemed likely that Britain and the colonies were headed toward war. In 1774 representatives from the colonies met in Philadelphia at the First Continental Congress to discuss the situation. The Congress was divided about what was to be done. Some members wanted a complete break with Britain , but others thought a peaceful compromise with parliament and King George III could be made.
After a small battle between British soldiers and colonists in April of 1775, the second Continental Congress met again in Philadelphia. After a long debate the Congress finally decided that the differences between the plan and prepare for a future armed conflict with Britain.
Some efforts to avoid war continued, but as 1776 went on, it became clear that war was inevitable. Thomas Jefferson was h=given the job of writing the final statement. On July 4th, 1776 he completed the Declaration of Independence which had a long ist of reasons why the colonies should break ith Britain and create a new country