Article VII specified that the Constitution would become effective when ratified by 9 of the 13 states. Ratification happened through state conventions specially elected for this purpose, not through state legislatures. This process ensured the Constitution had direct popular consent. The Federalist Papers were written during this period to persuade states to ratify.
Ratification gave the Constitution its legitimacy and authority. It showed that the new government derived its power from the consent of the governed, not from imposition.
Ratification wasn't just a formality—it was a fierce political debate between Federalists (who supported the Constitution) and Anti-Federalists (who feared it created too strong a central government).
Ratification gave the Constitution its legitimacy and authority. It showed that the new government derived its power from the consent of the governed, not from imposition.
Ratification wasn't just a formality—it was a fierce political debate between Federalists (who supported the Constitution) and Anti-Federalists (who feared it created too strong a central government).