The Fight for Ratification Remember, the Articles of Confederation provided that change could be made to them only if all the State legislatures agreed. But the new Constitution was intended to replace, not amend, the Articles. The Framers had seen how crippling the unanimity requirement could be. So, the new Constitution provided that "The ratification of the conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same." (Article VII). The Congress of the Confederation agreed to this irregular procedure. After a short debate, it sent copies of the new document to the States on September 28, 1787.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Political Beginnings | The Coming of Independence | The Critical Period | Creating the Constitution | Ratifying the Constitution