Confederation weaknesses

The Convention was called because the national government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak. It could not tax and had to ask states for money. It could not regulate trade, so states fought over commerce. It had no reliable way to raise an army, and Shays' Rebellion in 1786 made many leaders fear for its stability.

Protecting individual rights was not one of those reasons. The demand for a bill of rights came later, during the ratification debates, when Anti-Federalists objected that the new Constitution lacked one. So A is the exception.

Each choice

• A (correct). Concern about rights came during ratification, when Anti-Federalists demanded a bill of rights. It did not lead to calling the Convention, so it is the exception.
• B. Shays' Rebellion showed how little the central government could do, so fear for stability was a real reason.
• C. Trade disputes among the states, raised at the Annapolis meeting of 1786, helped lead directly to the Convention.
• D. Congress under the Articles could only request money from the states. Lacking taxing power was a leading complaint.
• E. The Articles gave Congress no dependable way to raise troops, so weak national defense was a real concern.