Which of the following best describes the Second Continental Congress's action on July 2, 1776?

The action taken by the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776, is best described as a vote in favor of independence. This event marks a pivotal moment in American history, as it was during this session that delegates decided to break away from British rule, expressing their desire to form a separate nation. Although the formal Declaration of Independence would be adopted later, on July 4, 1776, the vote itself on July 2 officially initiated the process of declaring independence from Britain.

The context of this decision is critical. Leading up to this moment, tensions between the colonies and Britain had escalated, and discussions were increasingly leaning toward the idea that the colonies should govern themselves. The vote represented a shift toward radical action and was a crucial step leading to the public declaration of independence.

In contrast, signing the Constitution occurred much later, in 1787, so that option does not pertain to this historical moment. Establishing the United States Army was also a significant action, but it took place in the context of preparing for military conflicts, rather than being a direct result of the vote for independence. Although declaring war against Britain was an inherent consequence of seeking independence, it was not a formal action carried out by the Continental Congress on