Representatives from each colony, except Georgia, met in Philadelphia. The representatives gathered to discuss their response to the British Intolerable Acts. They met to discuss their relationship with Britain, and how to assert their rights with the British government. They wanted to appear as united colonies in their reply to Britain. The purpose of the First Continental Congress was not to seek independence from Britain.

The congress wanted three objectives: to compose a statement of colonial rights, to identify British parliaments violation of those rights, and to provide a plan that would convince Britain to restore those rights. And the members they agree to boycott British. And they said they would met again if the British did not change.

British dicided to punish colonies by blocking the colony access to the North Atlantic fishing area.