The Olive Branch Petition

Even though the war had already started, the Americans still had not declared their independence. With the Olive Branch Petition, they made one last attempt to find a peaceful end to the revolution.

On July 5, 1775, Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition. It outlined their issues and asked the British government to respond and deal with them. King George III of England refused to accept the petition. He believed the Americans to be in rebellion, and believed he could quickly end it with his military force.