According to Article VII of the Constitution, the document would go into effect after being ratified by conventions in at least nine states. The framers of the Constitution wanted to ensure that the new federal government had a strong foundation of public support and legitimacy before being implemented.
Steps involved in the ratification process:
1. Philadelphia Convention: The Constitution was drafted at the Philadelphia Convention in the summer of 1787. Delegates from each state attended the convention and engaged in extensive debates over the structure and powers of the federal government. The final draft of the Constitution was completed by September 1787.
2. Circulation and Publication: After the Philadelphia Convention, the proposed Constitution was circulated among the states for consideration and discussion. It was published in newspapers and pamphlets, allowing citizens to read and debate its contents.
3. State Ratifying Conventions: Each state held a ratifying convention to consider the proposed Constitution. These conventions typically consisted of delegates elected by the people of the state. The debates in the state ratifying conventions focused on the balance of power between the federal government and the states, individual rights and liberties, and the need for a strong central authority.
4. Federalist and Anti-Federalist Positions: During the ratification debates, two main positions emerged: Federalists, who supported the proposed Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. Federalists argued that the Constitution would create a more efficient and effective government, while Anti-Federalists feared that it concentrated too much power in the hands of the federal government and jeopardized individual liberties.
5. Ratification by States: The ratification process proceeded on a state-by-state basis. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution in December 1787. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia followed suit in the months that followed.
6. Ratification Threshold: Article VII of the Constitution stipulated that the document would go into effect once it was ratified by conventions in at least nine states. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution in June 1788, marking a significant milestone in the ratification process.
7. Federalist Victory: By the summer of 1788, enough states had ratified the Constitution, exceeding the required threshold. The ratification process concluded, and the Constitution officially went into effect on March 4, 1789, with the first presidential election and the convening of the first Congress under the new Constitution.
The ratification process was a challenging but ultimately successful endeavor that resulted in the adoption of a new federal constitution for the United States. It demonstrated the commitment of the American people to democratic principles and their desire to establish a well-structured government that balanced individual rights and national unity.