Chair’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

It is our pleasure to welcome you to KSMUN and more importantly to the Second Continental Congress! Our names are Evelyne Goulet and Stella Klingebiel, and we will be serving as co- chairs of this committee. Evelyne, a senior at Kent, hails from Montreal, Canada and is the MUN Under-Secretary for Logistics. On campus she is also swim captain and president of the community service club. She has been dubbed a ‘‘history machine’’ by many, is obsessed with the musical Hamilton, and loves discussing international politics. Stella is a sophomore from Kent, CT and has been a part of KSMUN for two years. Stella joined this committee as a result of her love of Hamilton and history. We are both very excited to see you on April 23rd for debate!

To help you get started: It is 1777. The Revolutionary War has just begun, and the American armies are mobilized and growing. George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, is faced with the mounting task of defeating the British forces. To win, the United States will need European support, but their likely ally, France, needs convincing. Washington has assembled his trusted generals and delegates from the newly created states to assist him in war and domestic issues. This council will also need to formulate a plan of government for after the war.

We will be working alongside our crisis team to create a thrilling and educating committee for everyone. Being a history lover is a plus, and basic knowledge of American history is necessary to enjoy this committee, but anyone is welcomed to join our Continental Congress. It is up to you to create some form of central government, convince foreign countries to get involved in the conflict, and potentially reshape history. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with us.

Sincerely,

Evelyne Goulet ‘17 Stella Klingebiel ‘19 [email protected] [email protected]

Structure This committee will run in perpetual moderated caucus, a departure from traditional Model United Nations adherence to a speakers’ list.

The committee will run on extended Moderated Caucus: the default shall be a Moderated Caucus with varying speaking times. The chair will recognize delegates wishing to speak, and motions will be entertained after each speech has elapsed. For procedural matters, a simple majority of 50% + 1 will be required and each delegate must vote either in favour or against, no abstentions will be entertained. No pre-set time limits on speeches are established; this determination, as well as any other particulars of procedure, is left to the discretion of the committee or the chair, as appropriate. The chair shall have final authority on all procedural questions, and will occasionally entertain appeals.

Language and Attire The working and official language of the committee shall be English. All delegates are expected to wear Western Business Attire.

Electronic Devices All electronic devices, including cellphones, tablets, and laptops, are prohibited from the committee room unless otherwise stated by the Chair. Timers and stopwatches are permitted.

Debate

Unmoderated Caucus The committee may choose to move into unmoderated caucus for a certain length of time, in which delegates may move freely about the room and speak to each other without direction from the Chair. However, it will be at the Chair’s discretion to prohibit unmoderated caucus at certain times during committee.

Point of Order A Point of Order may not interrupt a speaker, and can be raised when the delegate believes the rules of procedure have been violated. The chair will stop the proceedings of the committee and ask the delegate to provide arguments as to which rules of procedure has been violated.

Point of Personal Privilege A Point of Personal Privilege may be raised when a delegate’s ability to participate in debate is impaired for any physical or logistical reason (for instance, if the speaker is not audible). This point may interrupt a speech, and the dais will immediately try to resolve the difficulty.

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry This point may be raised by a delegate who wishes to clarify any rule of procedure with the Chair. It may not interrupt a speaker, and a delegate rising to this point may not make any substantive statements or arguments.

Point of Information As the name suggests, this point may be raised by a delegate to bring substantive information to the notice. It may not interrupt a speaker, and must contain only a statement of some new fact that may have relevance to debate. Arguments and analyses may not be made by delegates rising to this point. A point of information may also be used to ask questions of a speaker on the general speakers list. Motions Motions control the flow of debate. A delegate may raise a motion when the chair opens the floor for points or motions. Motion require a vote to pass. Procedural motions, unless mentioned otherwise, require a simple majority to pass.

Motion for Moderated Caucus This motion begins a moderated caucus, and must specify the topic, the time per speaker, and the total time for the proposed caucus.

Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus This motion moves the committee into unmoderated caucus, during which lobbying and drafting of resolutions may take place. It must specify the duration of the caucus.

Motion to Suspend Debate This motion suspends debate for a stipulated amount of time.

Motion to Adjourn This motion brings the committee’s deliberation to an end, and is only admissible when suggested by the Chair.

Motion to Introduce Documents A successful motion to introduce essentially puts the document on the floor to be debated by the committee. The sponsor of the document will be asked to read the document and then, if deemed appropriate, the Chair will entertain a moderated caucus on the topic.

Motion to Divide the Question This motion may be moved by a delegate to split a document into its component clauses for the purpose of voting. This may be done when a delegate feels that there is significant support for some clauses of the document, but not for the complete document.

Motion for a Roll Call Vote A delegate may move to have the vote conducted in alphabetical order.

Motion for Speakers For and Against If it would help the proceedings of the committee, a delegate may motion for speakers for and against a document.

Amendments After the first draft of a committee document has been introduced, delegates may move to amend particular clauses of the draft. If the amendment is supported by all the sponsors of the documents, it passes as a friendly amendment.

Documents

Directive Directives are standard orders. All direct actions taken by this committee require a directive. Directives pass with a simple majority.

Communiqué Communiqués are formal communications (private by default) directed from the committee to other governments, individuals, or organizations. Committee communiqués pass by simple majority.

Press Release Press releases express the sentiments of the committee (NOT individuals) on any issue. They require a simple majority to pass.

Communication

Between Delegates Delegates can pass notes freely to other delegates within the committee or speak to other delegates during unmoderated caucus. However, talking during another delegate’s speech is not permitted.

To the Chair/Dias Delegates may also communicate with the Chair through notes. Delegates should feel free to write any questions or comments to the Chair that may improve the committee experience .

To Crisis Delegates may address members not present in the committee by addressing notes to “Crisis.” These notes could be addressed to specific persons or could be general questions on the committee itself.

Portfolio Powers

Personal Directive A personal directive orders the member’s external resources or contacts to take a specific action, within the power of said contacts.

Personal Communiqué A personal communiqué extends a specific message from any member to any other entity. The communiqué will not always yield a response. Committee communication refers to private bilateral communication between a delegate and in-room committee participants, the Chair, or out-of room resources. Delegates must carefully denote their note’s intended recipients and sign-off.

Between Delegates Delegates should feel free to write personal notes to their fellow committee members. We ask that these notes pertain to the business of the committee. To the Chair | Delegates may also write to the Chair with questions regarding procedural issues of the committee, as well as a wide range of personal inquiries. Delegates should feel free to write to the Chair on any issue that would improve the committee experience. This could range from a clarification of portfolio powers to substantive questions.

To Members not Present If delegates deem it fit to communicate with individuals or entities not currently present in committee, they may write notes directed to such members specifically. Such notes are to be addressed to “crisis” and passed to the Dais.

Introduction After the British ended their policy of salutary neglect, tensions grew between Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, who wanted to regain their former self-governance. However, the British were not willing to compromise, and issued taxation acts that angered colonists. In 1774, the Thirteen colonies formed the First Continental Congress to organize resistance to the Coercive Acts. Tensions escalated, and war broke out between Britain and its colony in 1775. It prompted the organization of the Second Continental Congress, which declared independence from the British in 1776.

In 1777, the war is far from won for the Continental Army and the Congress will address the two main issues: a need for a foreign allies and more supplies, and the creation of a framework for a new government.

America desperately needs support from other countries in order to win the war. Their failed invasion of Canada leaves them with one viable option: France. However, they need to win battles to show France entering the war is a good move. Without France, the Americans do not have a fair chance at winning. It’s vital to convince France to enter the war.

The framework for the new government is also a pressing problem, as it needs to be finalized before the war. Will the central government have more power than state governments? How many branches of government will there be? Those are important questions delegates will have to answer.

Character Guide

* Historically, these characters were not at the Continental Congress in 1777. However, we judged it would be more interesting to include them in our simulation.

John Adams is a delegate from Massachusetts and a lawyer. He became known when he opposed the Stamp Act in 1765. He was part of the First Continental Congress, where he was an advocate for independence. He signed the Declaration of Independence and nominated Washington as Commander-in-Chief.

Samuel Adams is a delegate from Massachusetts and a politician. He became involved with local politics in the 1740s, which made him a key part of early colonial struggle against British rule. He was involved in the Boston Tea Party and coordinated resistance to the Coercive Acts. He is close to John Hancock, the president of the Congress. He signed the Declaration of Independence and is an advocate for state sovereignty.

*Elias Boudinot is a delegate from New Jersey and a lawyer. He was a member of the New Jersey Provincial Congress. He has funded field commanders and many spies. He is also a colonel in the Continental Army.

Thomas Burke is a delegate from North Carolina and physician. He moved from Ireland to the Thirteen Colonies in 1764. He believes in a weak central government and state sovereignty.

Abraham Clark is a delegate from New Jersey. He was elected to the New Jersey Provincial Congress at the beginning of the war and was chosen for the Continental Congress because he favoured independence. He signed the Declaration of Independence. His two sons are officers in the Continental Army.

John Dickinson is a delegate from Pennsylvania and a solicitor. He wrote Letters of a Farmer from Pennsylvania, and, as a delegate at the Continental Congress, the Petition to the King and the Olive Branch Petition. He refused to sign the Declaration of Independence, because he believed the Congress should finish drafting the Articles of Confederation first.

Benjamin Franklin is a delegate from Pennsylvania and is nicknamed “The First American” for his support of colonial unity. He has been involved in the patriotic cause for many years, gaining popularity at home when he helped repeal the Stamp Acts He is a great diplomat, and could be key in convincing France to support America in the war. He strongly believes in the values of the Enlightenment.

Elbridge Thomas Gerry is a delegate from Massachusetts. He has been active in the Revolution since its early stages and supplies the Continental Army. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He believes in a limited central government.

*Alexander Hamilton is a delegate from New York and a captain in the New York militia. He has a good relationship with George Washington, and just participated in the Battle of Princeton. He believes in strong central government and is anti-slavery. He is also an elitist.

John Hancock is the president of the Second Continental Congress and a merchant from Massachusetts. He has been involved in the patriotic cause for more than a decade, first resisting the Stamp Act in 1765 and is believed by some to be a smuggler. He signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and is seen as a leading Patriot.

Benjamin Harrison V is a delegate from Virginia and a merchant. He also served in the First Continental Congress, when he signed the Petition to the King. He joined the Second Continental Congress in 1775 and signed the Declaration of Independence. He supported the Quakers’ right not to bear arms, and is a member of the Committee of Secret Correspondence. He is known for his sense of humour

John Jay is a delegate from New York and a lawyer. He was also a delegate of the First Continental Congress. He fears mob rule and wants to property rights. He also opposes slavery. He is seen as a moderate and reasonable Patriot by his peers.

Henry Laurens is a delegate from South Carolina and a merchant and planter. He is one of the partners in the largest slave-holding house in the Thirteen Colonies. Before being named a delegate at the Continental Congress, he was serving as Vice President of South Carolina and was also the head of the South Carolina Committee of Safety.

Robert Morris is a delegate from Pennsylvania and a merchant. He is helping finance the war and has even personally funded the Continental Army. He signed the Declaration of Independence, and his large international trading network allows him to gather intelligence on British troop movements.

Roger Sherman is a delegate from Connecticut and a lawyer. He was also a delegate to the First Continental Convention. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and signed it. He is opposed to slavery, but isn’t against making compromises with Southern States.

Philip Schuyler is a delegate from New York. Before the war, he served in the New York Assembly until he was appointed to the Continental Congress. He is also a general in the Continental Army and planned the failed invasion of Canada. He is involved in preparing defense plans.

Oliver Wolcott is a delegate from Connecticut, a merchant and major general. He is currently serving as both a delegate to the Continental Congress and as a major general from the Connecticut militia. He signed the Declaration of Independence.

*George Washington is the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. During the First Continental Congress, he was a delegate from Virginia. He has been a leading Patriot for more than a decade and a military leader since the French and Indian War. He is respected by all.

William Whipple, Jr. is a delegate from New Hampshire and a merchant. He was elected to the New Hampshire Provincial Congress, and then to the Continental Congress in 1776. He signed the Declaration of Independence and is a member of the Committee of Safety. He believed that all men were created equal and he freed his one slave.

John Knox Witherspoon is a delegate from New Jersey, a Presbyterian minister, and the president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). He signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and also serves as Congressional Chaplain. He often speaks in debate and helps draft most legislation.

Additional Information

For information on the war and the Continental Congress, any American history textbook is a good start. We personally recommend America: A Narrative History by Norton.

For more information on each character, please consult their personal biographies. Most can be found here: http://www.biography.com/people/groups/american-revolution