Secrets and Strategies Behind the Constitution's Creation and Ratification

The video discusses the secretive drafting of the U.S. Constitution, where delegates, including James Madison, maintained strict confidentiality. To ensure the Constitution's legitimacy, the framers devised a strategy to bypass the Confederation Congress and state legislatures by holding special ratifying conventions. This approach allowed them to gain approval without the risk of vetoes, requiring only nine states to ratify for the Constitution to take effect.

What was the primary reason for the secrecy during the drafting of the Constitution?

• To keep the British unaware

• To ensure open and honest debate among delegates

• To avoid public panic

• To prevent foreign influence

Why did the delegates decide against using the Confederation Congress to approve the Constitution?

• The Congress was not in session

• The Congress was located too far away

• The Congress was likely to resist abolishing itself

• The Congress was too slow

What was the innovative solution proposed by the delegates to ratify the Constitution?

• Using state legislatures

• Special ratifying conventions

• Holding a national referendum

• Approval by the President

How did the delegates plan to ensure the success of the ratifying conventions?

• By bribing state officials

• By promising tax cuts

• By campaigning and issuing propaganda

• By threatening military action

What was the minimum number of states required to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect?

• Thirteen

• Seven

• Nine

• Eleven