Article VII says the Constitution

Question

Article VII says the Constitution will become operational when it is ratified by conventions in nine states. Aside from the fact that nine is three quarters of the states attending the 1787 Constitutional Convention, can you think of any other reason why the Founding Fathers selected nine as the ratifying number? Why didn't they select twelve, or thirteen? Also, why did they select ratification by state conventions, wouldn't it have been easier to use the state legislatures for ratification?

Answer 1

Like most things in the constitution, it was a compromise. They wanted the constitution to pass, but also wanted it to have a solid mandate from the people. A lot of the focus of the campaign leading up to ratification was an attempt to make sure it passed in every state with a full mandate. They didn't want to bind themselves to such a tough goal, but they did everything they could to achieve it. If they had used the legislatures to approve it, it would have been easier, but the constitution is written to make the federal government an entity whose power stems from the people. If the power were granted indirectly through the legislatures, the mandate would not have been as powerful and challenges would have been tougher to handle.

I've been planning to read Madison's notes from the Constitutional Convention. It's supposed to be an interesting read. It's the most accurate account of what happened.

Answer 2

Why aren't you doing your own homework? This wording sounds like homework to me. WHY would they need a reason beyond it being 2/3rds? They don't make it all 13 because that would give any one too much power if 12 already signed(same basic argument if you made it 12 any 2 would have too much power after the first 11).  

Answer 3

1787 was way before the republic of the USA came into effect.  Back then it was a true democracy, where everyone who was able to vote had their vote counted.  Granted back then whoever threw the best party usually got the votes.  That's why it went by state conventions.

Edit:  I vote for Joe.  He gave a better answer than I could have thought of.