Malcolm Rivera
The ratification of the US Constitution was a critical process, requiring the approval of nine out of thirteen states. This was a significant improvement on the previous requirement for unanimous approval of state legislatures. The first steps towards ratification began before and during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787, with a campaign to convince the people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised. The Constitution was then drafted and approved by delegates to the Convention in September 1787, before being sent to each of the states for ratification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states needed to ratify the Constitution | 9 of 13 |
| Previous attempts to amend the Articles of Confederation | Failed due to requirement for unanimous approval of state legislatures |
| Alternative process | Never been utilized, but if requested by two-thirds of state legislatures, Congress shall call a constitutional convention for proposing amendments |
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What You'll Learn
Ratification of the US Constitution of 1787
The US Constitution of 1787 was ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Copies of the Constitution were sent to each state, which held ratifying conventions to either accept or reject it. This was a critical procedure, as previous attempts to amend the Articles of Confederation had failed due to the requirement for unanimous approval of the state legislatures. The new Constitution was ratified by a majority of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, who voted to approve the document they had drafted over several months.
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.
Article V provides for an alternative process, which has never been utilized. If requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures, Congress shall call a constitutional convention for proposing amendments. To become part of the Constitution, any amendment proposed by that convention must be ratified by three-fourths of the states through a vote of either the state legislature or a state convention convened for that purpose.
Federalists and the Constitution: Support and Ratification
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Ratification by nine of the thirteen states
The US Constitution was drafted in 1787 by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Before it could become law, it had to be ratified by the states. Article VII of the Constitution required that it be ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Copies of the Constitution were sent to each state, which were to hold ratifying conventions to either accept or reject it.
The procedure for ratifying the Constitution was critical. Previous attempts to amend the Articles of Confederation had failed because they required the unanimous approval of the state legislatures. Without an alternative method of ratification, it was unlikely the Convention's proposal would be adopted.
The mode of ratification is determined by Congress. This process has been used for ratification of every amendment to the Constitution thus far. Article V also provides for an alternative process, which has never been utilized. If requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures, Congress shall call a constitutional convention for proposing amendments. To become part of the Constitution, any amendment proposed by that convention must be ratified by three-fourths of the states through a vote of either the state legislature or a state convention convened for that purpose.
The Evolution of the Constitution: Amendments and Ratifications
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Ratification of amendments
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States was sufficient for the Establishment of the Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same. This was established in Article VII of the Constitution, which required that before the Constitution could become law and a new government could form, the document had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states.
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. Previous attempts to amend the Articles of Confederation had failed because of the requirement in the Articles for the unanimous approval of the state legislatures. Without an alternative method of ratification, it was unlikely the Convention’s proposal would be adopted.
Article V also provides for an alternative process, which has never been utilized. If requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures, Congress shall call a constitutional convention for proposing amendments. To become part of the Constitution, any amendment proposed by that convention must be ratified by three-fourths of the states through a vote of either the state legislature or a state convention convened for that purpose. The mode of ratification is determined by Congress, and in neither of these two processes is a vote by the electorate applicable to the ratification of a constitutional amendment.
The Constitution Ratification: A Historical Day in America
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Unanimous approval of state legislatures
The unanimous approval of state legislatures was required to ratify the Articles of Confederation. However, this proved to be an issue, as previous attempts to amend the Articles of Confederation had failed due to this requirement.
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 proposed new Constitution of 1787 established a different procedure for ratification. On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia voted to approve the document they had drafted over the course of many months. Before it could become the law of the land, however, the Constitution had to be ratified by the states. Article VII, the final article of the Constitution, required that before the Constitution could become law and a new government could form, the document had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states.
The mode of ratification is determined by Congress, and in neither of these two processes is a vote by the electorate applicable to the ratification of a constitutional amendment.
The Power to Ratify Treaties
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Ratification by state convention
The process of ratification by state convention has been used for every amendment to the Constitution thus far. Article V of the Constitution also provides for an alternative process, which has never been used. If requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures, Congress must call a constitutional convention to propose amendments. For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states through a vote of either the state legislature or a state convention. The mode of ratification is determined by Congress, and in neither of these two processes is a vote by the electorate applicable to the ratification of a constitutional amendment.
The American Constitution: Ratification and Its Legacy
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Frequently asked questions
Nine out of thirteen states were required to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Four states did not ratify the U.S. Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution had to be ratified by nine states. Copies of the Constitution were sent to each state, which held ratifying conventions to either accept or reject it.
The U.S. Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787.
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution was significant because it established the Constitution as the law of the land and allowed for the formation of a new government.
