What triggered the need for the Constitutional Convention meeting?

The need for the Constitutional Convention arose primarily from the perceived weaknesses and deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States. The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1777, established a weak central government with limited powers. Over time, it became clear that the Articles were not effectively addressing issues such as economic instability, interstate conflicts, and the inability to raise revenue or maintain a standing army.

Shays' Rebellion in 1786, an uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and foreclosures, highlighted the weaknesses of the central government in responding to domestic unrest. This event, along with other concerns about the effectiveness of the national government, led to a call for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to address these issues and draft a new constitution that would create a stronger and more effective central government. The result of the convention was the United States Constitution, which was ratified in 1788 and remains the fundamental law of the United States.