What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress held in 1774?

The purpose of the First Continental Congress, convened in 1774, was primarily to address grievances related to British colonial policies and to repair relations between the colonies and England. Delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia to discuss the implications of the Intolerable Acts, enacted by the British government in response to colonial resistance, particularly the Boston Tea Party. The Congress aimed to present a unified response to these acts by organizing a boycott of British goods and appealing to the British Crown for redress of their grievances, thus aligning with the sentiments expressed in the Suffolk Resolves, which called for resistance to the Intolerable Acts while maintaining a hope for reconciliation.

The emphasis was not on declaring independence or military organization, which were not central to the agenda at this initial gathering, and drafting the Constitution was a later development in American history, coming after the Revolutionary War. Hence, the focus of the First Continental Congress was on diplomatic rather than confrontational measures, seeking to find a way to negotiate with Britain while preparing the colonies for collective action if necessary.