Eleanor Finch
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and arduous process. The first steps towards ratification occurred before and during the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by a majority of states and a majority of the country's citizens. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, and the process was completed when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it on 21 June 1788.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware, 7 December 1787 |
| Number of states needed for ratification | 9 |
| Last state to ratify | Rhode Island, May 1790 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787
- The Articles of Confederation were revised to maintain the Union
- The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by a majority of states and citizens
- The Constitution became the official framework of the US government on 21 June 1788
- Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution in May 1790
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787
The US Constitution was ratified when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so on 21 June 1788. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. The first steps in ratifying the new constitution occurred before and during the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by both a majority of states and a majority of the country's citizens. To ensure that a majority of states would also yield a majority of citizens, they added the requirement that nine states, rather than a simple majority of seven, would be needed for ratification.
Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution.
Federalists' Push for Constitution Ratification Explained
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The Articles of Confederation were revised to maintain the Union
The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by both a majority of states and a majority of the country's citizens. To ensure that a majority of states would also yield the majority of the citizens, they added the requirement that nine states, rather than a simple majority of seven states, would be needed for ratification.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed.
The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire on 21 June 1788. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution.
The Evolution of Constitutional Ratification
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The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by a majority of states and citizens
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. To ensure that a majority of states would also yield the majority of citizens, they added the requirement that nine states, rather than a simple majority of seven, would be needed for ratification.
New York's Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. A widespread, uncoordinated campaign took place throughout the country to convince the people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised to maintain the Union. David Humphreys of Connecticut wrote to George Washington shortly after the Convention adjourned that 'the well-affected have not been wanting in efforts to prepare the minds of the citizens for the favorable reception of whatever might be the result of your Proceedings... Judicious & well-timed publications have great efficacy in ripening the judgment of men.'
The new Constitution was ratified when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so on 21 June 1788. In May 1790, Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution after first rejecting it.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Debate's Conclusion
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The Constitution became the official framework of the US government on 21 June 1788
The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by both a majority of states and a majority of the country's citizens. To ensure that a majority of states would also yield the majority of the citizens, they added the requirement that nine states, rather than a simple majority of seven, would be needed for ratification. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution.
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Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution in May 1790
The US Constitution was ratified when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so in June 1788. However, Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution in May 1790, after initially rejecting it.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. The first steps in ratifying the new constitution occurred before and during the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. A widespread, uncoordinated campaign took place throughout the country to convince the people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised to maintain the Union. The Constitutional Convention delegates wanted the new constitution to be ratified by both a majority of states and a majority of the country's citizens. To ensure that a majority of states would also yield the majority of the citizens, they added the requirement that nine states, rather than a simple majority of seven states, would be needed for ratification.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution.
The Branches' Ratification: A United Decision
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Frequently asked questions
Nine states were needed to ratify the Constitution.
There were 13 states.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, on 7 December 1787.
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution, in May 1790.
The Articles of Confederation.
