Jonah Patel
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a lengthy process, taking three and a half years from the submission of the final draft in November 1777 to unanimous approval from all states in May 1790. The first nine states to ratify the Constitution were enough to establish it and put it into effect, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the document in June 1788. However, it took almost two more years for Rhode Island, the last of the original 13 colonies, to approve the document and officially join the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to ratify the Articles | Three and a half years |
| Date of final draft submission to state legislatures | November 1777 |
| Date of Constitution ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Date of Bill of Rights ratification | 1791 |
| Date of capital location decision | July 16, 1790 |
| Date of Rhode Island's ratification | May 29, 1790 |
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | Nine of thirteen |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The final draft was submitted to the state legislatures in November 1777
The final draft of the US Constitution was submitted to the state legislatures in November 1777 for their unanimous approval. Seven states ratified the Articles quickly, while also submitting proposed amendments to the Articles. Congress rejected all of the proposed amendments. It took three and a half years to ratify the Articles because of the requirement of the unanimous approval of the state legislatures.
Between 1781 and 1787, Congress proposed and the states considered half a dozen amendments to the Articles to strengthen the powers of Congress. All of them had the support of a large majority of both the states and the people. By 1786, defects in the post-Revolutionary War Articles of Confederation were apparent, such as the lack of central authority over foreign and domestic commerce. Congress endorsed a plan to draft a new constitution, and on May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. On September 17, 1787, after three months of debate moderated by convention president George Washington, the new US Constitution was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the convention.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year. The Constitution was officially established when it was ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution, and North Carolina became the twelfth state to do so on November 1789. New Hampshire became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788.
Cuba's New Constitution: Ratified or Rejected?
You may want to see also
Seven states quickly ratified the Articles
The Articles of Confederation were drafted after the Revolutionary War, but by 1786, their defects were apparent, such as the lack of central authority over foreign and domestic commerce. Congress endorsed a plan to draft a new constitution, and on May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. On September 17, 1787, after three months of debate moderated by convention president George Washington, the new US Constitution was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Constitution was officially established once it had been ratified by nine of the thirteen states. New Hampshire became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788. Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution, and North Carolina became the twelfth state to do so on November 21, 1789.
The Bill of Rights, which consisted of twelve amendments to the Constitution, was adopted by the first Congress of the United States on September 25, 1789, and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments were ratified in 1791.
The Constitution's Ratification: Supermajority or Not?
You may want to see also
It took three and a half years to ratify the Articles
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, created after the Revolutionary War. By 1786, defects in the Articles were apparent, such as the lack of central authority over foreign and domestic commerce. Congress endorsed a plan to draft a new constitution, and on May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. On September 17, 1787, after three months of debate moderated by convention president George Washington, the new U.S. constitution, which created a strong federal government with an intricate system of checks and balances, was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the convention.
The new constitution was not ratified by all states until 1790, when Rhode Island, which had opposed federal control of currency and was critical of compromise on the issue of slavery, finally approved the document. The Constitution was officially established and took effect for those nine states. Virginia became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution and requested that 20 alterations be made to it. On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island voted by two votes to ratify the document, and the last of the original 13 colonies joined the United States.
Federalist vs Anti-Federalist: Constitution Ratification Debate
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The U.S. Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788
The Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states, and took effect for those nine states. However, it was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was ratified to become part of the Constitution at the end of the following year.
The U.S. Constitution created a strong federal government with an intricate system of checks and balances. It took three and a half years to ratify the Articles of Confederation because of the requirement of unanimous approval by the state legislatures. Congress proposed and the states considered half a dozen amendments to the Articles to strengthen the powers of Congress between 1781 and 1787, all of which had the support of a large majority of both the states and the people.
Votes Required to Ratify the Constitution: A Guide
You may want to see also
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790
It took three and a half years to ratify the Constitution. Seven states ratified the Articles quickly, but it took until June 21, 1788, for New Hampshire to become the ninth and final state to ratify the Constitution, making it the law of the land. However, Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
Rhode Island's ratification of the Constitution was a significant moment in the history of the United States. The state had initially resisted ratifying the document due to its opposition to federal control of currency and its critical stance on the compromise regarding slavery. However, the U.S. government threatened to sever commercial relations with the state, which ultimately led to Rhode Island's ratification.
The Constitution's ratification was a crucial step towards establishing the nation's government and legal framework. It created a strong federal government with an intricate system of checks and balances, addressing the defects in the post-Revolutionary War Articles of Confederation.
While the Constitution was ratified in 1788, it took until 1790 for all states to approve it, with Rhode Island being the final holdout. This highlights the challenges and complexities involved in the process of ratifying such an important document, which would shape the future of the nation.
The ratification of the Constitution by Rhode Island marked a turning point in the formation of the United States. It demonstrated the commitment of the states to unite under a common framework, despite their differences and varying interests. It also set the stage for further developments, such as the ratification of the Bill of Rights, which became part of the Constitution at the end of 1791.
Benjamin Franklin's Role in Ratifying the Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It took three and a half years to ratify the Constitution.
Nine of the thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution for it to be officially established.
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
