Final answer:
To put the original Constitution into effect, ratification by nine out of the thirteen states was required. Virginia and New York narrowly approved it, and the promise of including a Bill of Rights was decisive in securing the necessary approvals. New Hampshire's ratification brought the total to nine states in 1788.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original Constitution of the United States required ratification by nine of the thirteen states before it could take effect. This requirement was outlined in Article VII of the Constitution, which was a strategic decision by the Founding Fathers, who realized achieving unanimous approval from all states might be unattainable. The process of ratification involved intense debates and was not a straightforward victory.
The inclusion of the Bill of Rights was a crucial factor in ultimately securing the necessary support for the Constitution, appeasing fears of overly centralized government power, and recognizing fundamental civil liberties. The pivotal state ratifications were by narrow margins, with New York approving by three votes, Virginia by five, and the ratification by New Hampshire bringing the total to the required nine states in 1788. The Federalists, who advocated for a stronger central government, largely prevailed over the Antifederalists in these ratification processes.