Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States, came into effect in 1789, superseding the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates, and it established a powerful central government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The signing of the Constitution followed a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where delegates debated and crafted a new form of government, addressing concerns about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was gradually ratified by the states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth state to ratify in June 1788, meeting the requirement for establishing the new government. The First Congress under the Constitution convened on March 4, 1789, marking the official implementation of the new government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed | 39 |
| Date it came into effect | March 4, 1789 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| Date the last state ratified the Constitution | May 29, 1790 |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | End of 1791 |
| Date of the first presidential election | December 15, 1788 to January 10, 1789 |
| First President | George Washington |
| First Vice President | John Adams |
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What You'll Learn
The signing of the US Constitution
The convention was held in Philadelphia, and General George Washington was unanimously elected as its president. The convention was originally intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had given the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention provided for ratification of the new Constitution by popularly elected ratifying conventions in each state.
The signing of the Constitution was an extraordinary achievement, and it stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. However, it faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, who fought against it because it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. The Federalists, on the other hand, believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. The ratification process was challenging, and it was not until New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, that it became the official framework of the US government.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789, and the first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. In the first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
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Ratification by the states
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates. However, it did not go into effect immediately. It had to be ratified by the people. Article VII of the Constitution established the process for ratification, stating that the approval of nine states was sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification campaign was challenging, with Anti-Federalists fighting hard against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. The tide turned in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory, paving the way for subsequent ratifications in Maryland and South Carolina. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards establishing the new government under the Constitution.
By the end of July 1788, eleven states had ratified the Constitution. The Congress of the Confederation certified that the new Constitution had been ratified by more than enough states and set the date for the new government to begin operations on March 4, 1789. The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government was inaugurated with George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President.
While the new government was formed in 1789, it was not until May 29, 1790, that Rhode Island became the final state to ratify the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was ratified at the end of the following year.
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The Articles of Confederation
The process of drafting the Articles of Confederation began in June 1776, when Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution before the Continental Congress declaring the colonies independent and urging them to prepare a plan of confederation for the newly independent states. Congress created three committees to draft the Declaration, a model treaty, and the Articles of Confederation. The final draft of the Articles was completed on November 15, 1777, and submitted to the states for ratification. Virginia was the first state to ratify, on December 16, 1777, and by February 1779, 12 states had ratified the Articles. However, Maryland refused to ratify until the other states ceded their western land claims. Maryland finally ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, and it officially became the law of the land on March 1, 1781.
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The role of Alexander Hamilton
The US Constitution, the country's supreme law, came into effect on March 4, 1789, superseding the Articles of Confederation. The signing of the document occurred on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the constitution.
Alexander Hamilton played a significant role in the creation and ratification of the US Constitution. Here is a detailed overview of his contributions:
Leadership at the 1786 Annapolis Convention
Hamilton was dissatisfied with the Articles of Confederation, deeming them too weak and ineffective. He played a leadership role at the 1786 Annapolis Convention, advocating for a stronger central government.
Convincing Congress to Organize the Grand Convention
Hamilton, along with James Madison and George Washington, feared that the young nation was on the brink of collapse due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Hamilton helped persuade Congress to convene a Grand Convention of state delegates in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles.
Participation in the Constitutional Convention
Hamilton was selected as one of New York's delegates to the Constitutional Convention at the age of 30. During the convention, he proposed a plan of government, which was not adopted. However, he actively participated in the debates and negotiations, contributing to the final form of the Constitution.
Signing the Constitution
Hamilton signed the Constitution, despite his reservations about certain aspects of the document. He recognized it as a significant improvement over the Articles of Confederation and urged his fellow delegates to do the same.
Campaigning for Ratification
Hamilton played a crucial role in the campaign for the Constitution's ratification. He actively promoted ratification in New York, using his rhetorical skills and logical arguments. He collaborated with James Madison and John Jay on "The Federalist Papers," a series of essays written under the pseudonym "Publius" to defend the proposed Constitution and compel key figures, such as George Clinton, to support ratification.
Economic and Monetary Policies
Hamilton proposed economic policies that solidified the nation's footing and paved the way for prosperity. He advocated for the government to assume the debts of the states, establish a steady revenue stream through taxation of imported goods, and create a federal bank. His proposals were approved, and he is credited with saving the economy from potential ruin.
Influence on Washington's Administration
Hamilton remained a close advisor to President Washington even after resigning as secretary of the treasury in 1795. He influenced Washington's farewell address and provided drafts for his reference. Hamilton also played a role in the establishment of a national bank, citing the Necessary and Proper Clause as justification.
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The US Constitution today
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It came into effect in 1788, superseding the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. The US Constitution was ratified by the required number of states (nine out of 13) in 1788, with Rhode Island being the last state to ratify it in 1790.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates who endorsed the constitution created during the Philadelphia Convention. The convention was held to revise the existing government, but the delegates ended up creating a completely new form of government. The new Constitution established a powerful central government, with three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
The US Constitution has been amended over time to address issues such as slavery and to protect individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that the actions of Congress and federal agencies are permissible under it. The Court also has the power to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional.
Today, the US Constitution remains one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. It continues to be the framework of the US government, with the Supreme Court interpreting and applying it to modern-day issues. The Constitution's separation of powers and federalism principles provide a foundation for the US political system and serve as a model for other democracies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and came into effect on March 4, 1789.
Article VII of the Constitution established the process for ratification, stating that the ratification of nine states would be sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.
The Constitution was written to supersede the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The Constitution established a powerful central government and delineated the frame of the federal government, dividing it into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
