Final answer:
The First Continental Congress met in response to the Intolerable Acts in 1774 and marked a critical step towards unity among the colonies and resistance against British policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The First Continental Congress convened in 1774 as a response to the Intolerable Acts and was the first gathering of colonial representatives to discuss grievances against British policies. Displeased with the arbitrary actions of the British Parliament, representatives from twelve of the thirteen American colonies met in Philadelphia between September 5 and October 26, 1774. This congress was a significant moment of inter-colonial cooperation that led to the drafting of the Declaration of American Rights, signifying the colonies' united position against the Intolerable Acts, and an assertion of their rights. While the congress did not immediately lead to a call for independence, it laid the groundwork for the political unity necessary for the upcoming Revolutionary War.