What was the purpose of the Annapolis Convention in 1786?

The Annapolis Convention of 1786 was primarily convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had created a loose confederation of sovereign states. Delegates from five states gathered to discuss the considerable challenges facing the young nation, including issues of economic instability, trade disputes between states, and the inability of the federal government to raise revenue or regulate commerce effectively. The convention ultimately concluded that substantial reforms were necessary. This meeting led to the call for a broader convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where the United States Constitution was drafted to replace the Articles, addressing the very weaknesses that had prompted the Annapolis Convention. Thus, the key purpose of this gathering was to deliberate over the deficiencies in governance under the Articles of Confederation, making choice C the correct answer.