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Richard Henry Lee

Definition

Richard Henry Lee was a prominent American statesman from Virginia during the American Revolution. He is best known for proposing the motion in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies' independence from Great Britain.

Analogy

Think of Richard Henry Lee as a team captain who steps up and suggests a new game plan when the old one isn't working. In this case, he suggested that America should break away from Britain and become its own team (or country).

Related terms

Second Continental Congress: This was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting in 1775, at the start of the American Revolution. It's like an emergency meeting called by all team members to discuss their next move.

Declaration of Independence: The document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under British rule. It's like a formal announcement made after deciding to form your own team.

Virginia Resolution: A proposal put forward by Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776 in the Second Continental Congress, declaring United States independence from Great Britain. It's like presenting your new game plan to your teammates for approval.