Final answer:
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention initially met to amend the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately created a new Constitution. They set a ratification requirement of nine states, and ratified the document through state conventions, ensuring its legitimacy from the consent of the people.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins of the Constitutional Convention
Initially, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention believed they had met to amend (change) the Articles of Confederation. This was the stated purpose when the Convention met in May of 1787. However, during the proceedings, the delegates shifted their focus and decided to create an entirely new framework of government, which resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution. The ratification process was significant because, while the Articles required unanimous consent from state legislatures for amendments, the new Constitution only required the ratification by nine states. This strategy was vital for the approval of the Constitution, which faced several hurdles, including initial reluctance by states and the necessity to draft the Bill of Rights to assuage the concerns of the Anti-Federalists.
Moreover, the decision to call for ratification conventions rather than relying solely on state legislatures enabled the Constitution to be ratified without requiring those legislators to cede their power. The new government could claim its legitimacy from the consent of the people, as the ratification delegates were elected by popular vote.