How many colonies were required to ratify the United States Constitution?

To ratify the United States Constitution, nine out of the thirteen original colonies were required to approve it. This requirement is significant because it established a manageable threshold for the ratification process, indicating that the Constitution would not need unanimous consent but rather a substantial consensus among the states. By setting the bar at nine colonies, the framers aimed to balance the need for a functional national government while allowing for the possibility of dissent from some states.

The decision to require nine ratifications was a strategic compromise to facilitate the Constitution's adoption in light of the diverse interests and concerns of the individual states. This approach helped in garnering the necessary support without alienating states that might have had reservations about the new framework for government. Therefore, the choice of nine is not only a matter of historical fact but also reflects the political considerations at play during the founding of the United States.