Which assembly met on May 10, 1775, to discuss defense and independence?

The assembly that convened on May 10, 1775, to discuss defense and independence is the Second Continental Congress. This gathering followed the First Continental Congress and was crucial for the American Revolution. The delegates addressed the ongoing conflicts with Great Britain, particularly after the battles of Lexington and Concord, and began to form a unified strategy for the colonies' defense. They also took initial steps towards declaring independence, which culminated in the Declaration of Independence two years later in 1776.

The First Continental Congress, which took place in 1774, was primarily focused on addressing grievances against British policies rather than on direct defense or independence. The Colonial Congress and Provincial Assembly refer to different types of deliberative bodies that had varying degrees of influence and structure. Thus, the Second Continental Congress is accurately identified as the assembly that discussed the urgent matters of defense and the push toward independence during this critical period in American history.