Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution was born in September 1787, when 38 delegates signed the document, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The Constitutional Convention, convened by Congress, crafted a new framework for governance, addressing the flaws of the Articles of Confederation. The ratification process began on the same day and ended when Rhode Island became the final state to ratify it on May 29, 1790. However, the Constitution was officially adopted on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it, marking the beginning of the new government. From the initial drafting of the Constitution in May 1787 to its adoption in June 1788, approximately one year and one month passed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date the US Constitution was drafted | May 25, 1787 |
| Date the US Constitution was adopted | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of states required to ratify the US Constitution | 9 |
| Date the US Constitution was ratified | May 29, 1790 |
| Date the new government officially started operating | March 4, 1789 |
| Number of delegates who signed the US Constitution | 38 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was attended by delegates from various states. These delegates included George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and others. The Convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation and create a new framework for governance. The result was a completely new constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation.
The drafting of the Constitution was a collaborative effort involving intense discussions, compromises, and intellectual debates. The final document reflected the diverse interests and views of the delegates, who crafted a powerful central government while remaining loyal to their individual states. The Constitution was signed by 38 delegates, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The signing of the Constitution marked the beginning of the ratification process. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, faced opposition from the Anti-Federalists, who argued that the Constitution created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. The ratification process involved state conventions, and the Constitution required ratification by 9 of the 13 states to enact the new government. The process began on September 17, 1787, and ended when Rhode Island became the final state to ratify it on May 29, 1790.
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The ratification process began the same day
The US Constitution was signed and adopted on September 17, 1787, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. On this day, 38 delegates, representing 13 states, affixed their signatures to the document, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures. This event culminated a period of deliberation and drafting that commenced on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The ratification process for the Constitution commenced immediately after its adoption on September 17, 1787. Recognizing the significance of this undertaking, the founding fathers deliberately bypassed the state legislatures, anticipating resistance from members reluctant to relinquish power to a central government. Instead, they advocated for special ratifying conventions in each state, understanding that ratification by 9 of the 13 states would be necessary to enact the new government. This approach reflected the delicate balance of power and the diversity of interests and views across the states.
The ratification campaign was fraught with contention, pitting Federalists, who championed a robust central government, against Anti-Federalists, who vigorously opposed it, citing concerns about the concentration of power. The Federalists faced an uphill battle, as initially, only 6 of the 13 states held a pro-Constitution majority. The Anti-Federalists mounted fierce resistance, particularly in influential states like New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia, where they enjoyed substantial support.
The ratification process unfolded against a backdrop of passionate debates and intense political manoeuvring. In Pennsylvania, the Anti-Federalists nearly thwarted the ratification effort by preventing a quorum for the state ratifying convention. However, in a dramatic twist, they were physically dragged to the statehouse, ensuring the convention could proceed. Despite such obstacles, the Federalists persevered, and on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the critical ninth state to ratify the Constitution, officially adopting the document and ushering in a new era of governance for the nation.
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The final state, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790
The journey towards the adoption of the United States Constitution was a protracted one, spanning over a decade. The process began with the convening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where delegates from 12 states gathered to draft and debate the framework of a new governing document. The product of their labor, the United States Constitution, was presented to the states for ratification on September 17, 1787.
The ratification process was a state-by-state affair, and it took over two years for the required nine out of thirteen states to approve the document. Delaware was the first state to ratify, doing so on December 7, 1787, and over the course of the next two years, eight other states followed suit: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire.
However, it was not until May 29, 1790, that the final piece of the puzzle was put in place. On that day, the small state of Rhode Island, which had initially resisted the call for a stronger central government, became the 13th and final state to ratify the Constitution. Rhode Island's ratification was a significant milestone, as it meant that the document was now officially the law of the land and the United States of America was truly united under one constitution.
Rhode Island's path to ratification was unique. The state had initially rejected the call for a constitutional convention, and when the final document was presented to the states, it convened its own convention in March 1788. This convention ultimately rejected the Constitution, citing concerns over the power of the central government and the lack of a bill of rights. It was only after much debate and the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1789 that public opinion in Rhode Island shifted, leading to a second convention in 1790 that voted in favor of ratification.
So, in total, two years and eight months passed between the adoption of the Constitution by the Constitutional Convention and its ratification by all thirteen original states. This period was marked by intense debate, compromise, and the navigation of complex political dynamics, ultimately resulting in the creation of the world's longest-lasting written constitution.
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The new government started on March 4, 1789
The US Constitution was drafted between May and September 1787. The process began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had guided the US government since March 1, 1781. However, the Articles' shortcomings had left the federal government weak and ineffective in addressing issues such as war debts, piracy, and rebellion.
The Constitutional Convention crafted a new framework for governance, and the final draft of the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. This marked the beginning of the ratification process, which ended when Rhode Island became the final state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
The Constitution officially became the framework of the US government on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. This was a significant turning point as nine states were required for ratification. The new government officially commenced on March 4, 1789, with the first Congress addressing the constitutionally-required census during its second session.
The first Congress also witnessed debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists supported the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalists opposed it and sought to protect individual liberties. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first 12 amendments to the Constitution, was eventually ratified on December 15, 1791, and sent to the states.
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The Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia
The convention faced fierce debates, particularly over congressional representation. The delegates eventually compromised by agreeing to one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate, with enslaved Africans counted as three-fifths of a person. They also decided to postpone the issue of slavery, allowing the slave trade to continue until 1808.
The delegates created a model of government with a powerful central government, but one that relied on a system of checks and balances. They divided federal authority into the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. The Legislative branch was further divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the latter handling important issues like treaty ratification.
On September 17, 1787, the delegates met for the last time to conclude their business. Despite some dissent, 39 of the 41 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Read signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware. William Jackson, the group's secretary, signed to attest to its authenticity. The Constitution then began its journey towards ratification, with special conventions in each state.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was drafted on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution was adopted on June 21, 1788, less than a year after it was drafted.
The Constitutional Convention was a gathering of state delegates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were deemed inadequate to address the problems facing the young nation.
The ratification process began on September 17, 1787, the same day the Constitution was drafted and signed.
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution on May 29, 1790.
