Declaration of Rights and Grievances:
- The Congress adopted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, outlining colonial rights and specific complaints against British policies, such as the coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) imposed after the Boston Tea Party.
Non-Importation and Non-Exportation Agreements:
- To pressure Britain economically, the Congress implemented the Continental Association, establishing agreements on non-importation of British goods and non-exportation of products to Britain until the grievances were addressed.
Petitions and Addresses:
- The Congress drafted a petition known as the "Olive Branch Petition" addressed to King George III, reiterating their loyalty and seeking redress for their grievances.
- They also composed an open letter known as the "Address to the People of Great Britain," appealing to the British public to support the colonists' cause.
Establishment of Committees:
- Several committees were created, including the Committee of Correspondence, tasked with maintaining communication and coordination among the colonies, and the Committee of Intercolonial Correspondence, responsible for exchanging letters and information with sympathetic individuals in Britain.
Calls for Unity and Action:
- The Congress emphasized the importance of unity and common purpose among the colonies to resist British policies effectively.
- They passed resolutions encouraging the colonial assemblies to establish local self-government (Provincial Congresses/Committees of Safety) and to train militias in preparation for potential confrontations.
While diplomatic efforts were pursued, the First Continental Congress laid the groundwork for colonial resistance and paved the way for further confrontations with the British authorities, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775.