A Continental Army

Warm, wholesome split-scene illustration for a 9-year-old: left side shows a sunny Boston-area hillside with mixed colonial militia tents, different simple flags, stacked muskets, and wooden supply crates labeled for different colonies; right side shows a bright Philadelphia meeting hall with delegates from many colonies around a table, a map of the thirteen colonies, and a empty commander’s chair. No violence, no battle gore, curious, hopeful, classroom-friendly colors. — A Continental Army

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Big question

Why did the colonies need one army instead of separate local militias?

The Second Continental Congress chose George Washington to lead a new army made from colonial forces that had never fought together as one.

By the end

You will be able to explain, in your own words, why Congress wanted one army and why Washington was a strong choice to lead it.