John Adams Proposes a Continental Army

On June 10, 1775, John Adams proposed the creation of a Continental Army to unify colonial forces against the British. At the time, militias from New England had surrounded British troops in Boston following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, but there was no centralized command structure.

Adams urged the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, to formally recognize these forces as a national army and appoint a commander-in-chief. He recommended George Washington for the role, citing his military experience, leadership skills, and ability to unite the colonies. Congress officially established the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, and Washington accepted command the following day. This decision was pivotal in shaping the American Revolution, providing the colonies with a cohesive military strategy that ultimately led to independence.