Final answer:
The First Continental Congress met in 1774 to organize military preparation and draft colonists' rights vis-à-vis the British Parliament. Notable figures included George Washington, Patrick Henry, and John Adams, and it resulted in the creation of the Continental Army with George Washington as its commander.
Step-by-step explanation:
The First Continental Congress of 1774
The group that met in 1774 to draw up rights and organized military preparation was the First Continental Congress. They convened in Philadelphia in September of that year, alarmed by the arbitrary proceedings of the British Parliament. Many notable figures were in attendance, including George Washington, who would be appointed commander of the Continental Army, Patrick Henry, and John Adams. Other significant delegates included Samuel Adams from Massachusetts, John Dickinson from Pennsylvania, and John Jay from New York. This Congress acted decisively by creating a continental army, appointing George Washington as the commander-in-chief, and by approving funding for the army through the issue of paper currency.
Even before the Olive Branch Petition, which was a final attempt to avoid a direct war of independence against Britain, the Congress prepared for war. They encouraged the colonies to arm themselves and on June 14 and June 15, they formally established the Continental Army to defend the liberties of the colonists. By the end of 1775, Congress had authorized the issue of $6 million in bills of credit to fund these efforts.
Important figures who participated in the First Continental Congress played critical roles in the escalating colonial protests that eventually led to the American Revolution. Alongside the military actions, significant diplomatic and governmental actions were taken, such as the drafting of the Declaration of Independence by the Committee of Five on June 11, 1776.