Plzz ! according to article vii, the constitution would go into effect when nine states ratified it. a fierce debate raged for months between the federalists, who supported the constitution, and the anti-federalists, who opposed it. what arguments did the federalist group present? according to article vii, the constitution would go into effect when nine states ratified it. a fierce debate raged for months between the federalists, who supported the constitution, and the anti-federalists, who opposed it. what arguments did the anti-federalists present?