Jonah Patel
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it, making it the law of the land. The document had to be ratified by at least nine of the 13 states to take effect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| Number of delegates who signed the final draft of the Constitution | 39 out of 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution at the conclusion of the convention | 38 out of 41 |
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What You'll Learn
- The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of 55 delegates
- The document was not binding until ratified by nine of the 13 states
- The ratification sparked a national debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
- Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution
- New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of 55 delegates
The final draft of the US Constitution was signed by 39 of 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. The document was then sent to the states for ratification. It needed to be ratified by at least nine of the 13 states to take effect.
The ratification process sparked an intense national debate between two factions: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced 85 essays known as 'The Federalist Papers' that explained and defended how the proposed new government would function.
The first ratifying convention was held in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution, requesting 20 alterations be made to it. New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution, making the document the law of the land.
How Federalist Papers Influenced the Constitution's Ratification
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The document was not binding until ratified by nine of the 13 states
The US Constitution was not binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 states. This was agreed under Article VII.
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. However, it then had to be ratified by at least nine of the 13 states to take effect. The ratification process sparked an intense national debate between two factions: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it.
New Hampshire became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution of the United States on June 21, 1788, thereby making the document the law of the land.
Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution. In addition to ratifying the constitution, Virginia requested that 20 alterations be made to it.
Jefferson's Role: Ratifying the Constitution
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The ratification sparked a national debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The ratification of the US Constitution sparked an intense national debate between Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The Federalists were led by Hamilton and James Madison, who, with the assistance of John Jay, produced the 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers", which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, were concerned about the lack of a bill of rights and the potential for a strong central government to infringe on individual liberties.
The ratification process was a complex and lengthy one, requiring the approval of at least nine of the 13 states for the Constitution to take effect. This was a challenging task, as the states were deeply divided over the issue, with some strongly in favour of ratification and others vehemently opposed. The debate centred around the balance of power between the federal government and the states, with Federalists arguing for a strong federal government with an intricate system of checks and balances, while Anti-Federalists favoured a more decentralised government with greater power vested in the states.
The Federalists ultimately prevailed, with nine states ratifying the Constitution, including New Hampshire, which became the ninth and final necessary state to do so on June 21, 1788. This marked a significant turning point in American history, as the Constitution became the law of the land, establishing a strong federal government and setting the foundation for the nation's future political system.
The ratification of the Constitution was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States, shaping the country's political landscape and defining the role of the federal government. The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists reflected the deep divisions within the young nation and highlighted the importance of finding a balance between a strong central government and the preservation of individual liberties.
Hamilton's Constitution: Ratification and Legacy
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Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution
The US Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 states, with Virginia becoming the tenth state to ratify the document. The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on 17 September 1787. However, it was not binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 states.
Virginia's ratification of the Constitution was not without conditions. The state requested that 20 alterations be made to the document.
The ratification process sparked an intense national debate between two factions: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it.
George Washington's Role in Ratifying the Constitution
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New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on 17 September 1787. However, the ratification process sparked an intense national debate between Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it.
The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed how enslaved individuals would be counted for taxation and representation purposes, with three out of every five enslaved persons counted. The Great Compromise resolved disputes between states with large populations and those with smaller ones by establishing a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate (equal representation for states) and the House of Representatives (representation based on population).
Virginia's Constitution Ratification: The Deciding Factors
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Frequently asked questions
Nine out of 13 states ratified the US Constitution.
Yes, a minimum of nine states were required to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect.
38 out of 41 delegates signed the final draft of the Constitution.
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