The Olive Branch Petition was a document sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George III of Great Britain on July 5, 1775. Its primary purpose was to express the colonists' desire for reconciliation with Britain and to avoid further conflict. The petition affirmed loyalty to the British crown and sought to address grievances related to taxation and other issues that had fueled colonial discontent.
The Olive Branch Petition was an attempt to negotiate peace and find a compromise while still maintaining a connection to Britain. It came at a time when tensions were high, following the outbreak of armed conflict between British troops and colonial militias at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. However, the petition was ultimately rejected by King George III, who viewed the colonies as being in rebellion. This rejection further inflamed colonial sentiment and contributed to the eventual push toward independence.