What was the main purpose of the Constitutional Convention held in 1787?

The main purpose of the Constitutional Convention held in 1787 was to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate for governing the newly independent states. Delegates from various states gathered in Philadelphia with the intent to revise the existing structure of government, as the Articles had created a loose confederation that lacked effective power over states, resulting in issues such as economic instability and inability to maintain order or provide defense.

During the convention, it became clear that merely revising the Articles would not suffice, leading the delegates to instead draft a completely new governing document—the United States Constitution. This new framework established a stronger federal government with the ability to tax, regulate commerce, and maintain a military, ultimately providing a more effective and balanced system of governance.

The other options do not align with the convention's main objectives. A Bill of Rights was not initially part of the Convention's purpose, though it was later added to address concerns about individual liberties. Electing a new president was not a focus of the gathering since the convention was primarily concerned with structuring the national government rather than determining the leadership. Declaring independence had already occurred over a decade earlier, in 1776, which was not the aim during the 1787 convention.