Article 7 of the Constitution

Key Points

• Article VII of the United States Constitution established that ratification by nine out of thirteen states was sufficient for the Constitution to become effective.
• The Articles of Confederation were ineffective, leading to financial instability and trade disputes, which highlighted the need for a stronger central government.
• Article 7 demonstrated the Founding Fathers’ commitment to democracy by allowing states and citizens to decide on the Constitution’s adoption rather than imposing it.
• The ratification process set a precedent for American democracy, marking the first referendum-like decision in the nation’s history.
• Federalists supported a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists feared centralized power and preferred local governance to protect individual liberties.
• New Hampshire’s ratification on June 21, 1788, was the ninth and decisive approval, making the Constitution the supreme law of the land.
• Article 7 was crucial in transitioning the U.S. from a loose confederation to a unified federal system, balancing state and central government powers.
• The Constitution’s ratification laid the foundation for a stable and enduring government structure that has lasted over two centuries.
• Abraham Lincoln emphasized the Constitution’s role as the safeguard of American liberties, warning against arbitrary changes to its text.
• Article 7’s legacy includes establishing a framework for democracy, protecting individual rights, and ensuring the nation’s growth and stability.