Final answer:
True, the Annapolis Convention in 1786 preceded the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Its failure to resolve economic issues between states directly led to the larger and more significant Philadelphia gathering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the convention at Annapolis, Maryland came before the Constitutional Convention is True. The Annapolis Convention, which took place in 1786, was indeed held prior to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The purpose of the Annapolis gathering was to discuss and address economic issues between the states, but it did not accomplish this due to insufficient representation from the states, with only five of thirteen attending. Despite the setback, it led to the proposal of a more comprehensive meeting, which then became the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This convention did not simply revise, but ultimately replaced the Articles of Confederation with the current United States Constitution.