What does Article VII of the Constitution require for ratification?

Article VII of the Constitution specifies that ratification requires the approval of nine states. This provision was established to ensure that the Constitution would have a workable level of support, allowing for a sufficient number of states to come together and create a functioning government under its framework. The founding fathers aimed for a balance between the need for a strong central government and the desire for state sovereignty, which is why a majority of states, rather than unanimous consent, was deemed adequate for ratification. This approach allowed for a broader consensus while also acknowledging the challenges of achieving unanimous agreement among all states.

The other options suggest requirements that do not reflect the intentions outlined in Article VII. For instance, unanimous approval from all states would have been impractical and could have stymied the adoption of the Constitution. Similarly, reliance on a majority vote from Congress or presidential approval does not align with the ratification process specifically defined in the Constitution. The framers wanted the ratification to be directly from the states to the Constitution rather than through the legislative or executive branches.