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The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. However, it was not ratified until June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, making its adoption official.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | 17 September 1787 |
| Number of signatures | 38 or 39 out of 41 delegates |
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| Number of states needed for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware |
| Date of first state's ratification | 7 December 1787 |
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What You'll Learn
The signing of the United States Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. The convention had been convened on May 25, 1787, to address defects in the post-Revolutionary War Articles of Confederation, such as the lack of central authority over foreign and domestic commerce. The new constitution introduced a strong federal government with an intricate system of checks and balances.
Under Article VII, the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution, making it the law of the land.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a three-month process of debate and deliberation moderated by convention president George Washington. 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", which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. These essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
The Constitution's eschatocol, or closing endorsement, included a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those whose signatures appear on it subscribed to the final document. The signing of the Constitution marked a significant moment in the history of the United States, establishing a new form of government and setting the foundation for the nation as we know it today.
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The Federalist Papers
The US Constitution was signed on 17 September 1787, but it was not ratified until 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
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The Articles of Confederation
By the mid-1780s, it became apparent that the Articles of Confederation had several defects, including the lack of a strong central authority and an ineffective government. The federal government had no power to regulate commerce, both foreign and domestic, and it could not collect taxes to pay off debts from the Revolutionary War. As a result, Congress endorsed a plan to draft a new constitution, and on May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia.
The new U.S. Constitution, which created a strong federal government with a system of checks and balances, was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the convention. However, it was not ratified until June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it, making its adoption official. The Constitution introduced a completely new form of government, with a strong federal government and a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government became too powerful.
The ratification of the Constitution in 1788 marked a significant turning point in American history, as it established a more effective and powerful federal government that could address the issues facing the young nation. The Articles of Confederation, while important in establishing the initial framework of the American government, were ultimately replaced by the Constitution, which has served as the foundation of the American political system for over 200 years.
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The ratification process
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', which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution, making it the law of the land.
Virginia and New York ratified shortly after New Hampshire, followed by North Carolina in November 1789. Rhode Island was the last to ratify, not joining the Union until May 1790.
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The Convention method
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution, making it the law of the land.
The use of the Convention method also meant that each state could have a say in the ratification process. This was significant because it allowed for a more democratic process, ensuring that the Constitution had the support of a majority of the states.
Overall, the Convention method played a crucial role in the ratification of the US Constitution. By allowing for a diverse range of participants and ensuring that each state had a voice, the Convention method helped to create a strong federal government with an intricate system of checks and balances.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, but it was not ratified until 1788.
The Constitution required ratification by nine of the 13 existing states.
The first five states to ratify the Constitution were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The Constitution became the law of the land on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth and final necessary state to ratify it.
