Simone Lawson
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and arduous process. The greatest sticking point was the relative power of the state and federal governments. Many people resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states. However, the framers of the Constitution believed that without the ability to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive for very long. On June 21, 1788, the Constitution was finally ratified when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21st June 1788 |
| State that ratified the Constitution | New Hampshire |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| Previous governing document | Articles of Confederation |
| Compromise | Massachusetts Compromise |
| Amendments | Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
The Massachusetts Compromise
The greatest sticking point when it came to ratification was the relative power of the state and federal governments. The framers of the Constitution believed that without the ability to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive for very long. However, many people resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states.
Several states, including Massachusetts, opposed the document on the grounds that it failed to reserve undelegated powers to the states and lacked constitutional protection of basic political rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. In February 1788, a compromise was reached under which Massachusetts and other states would agree to ratify the document with the assurance that amendments would be immediately proposed to protect these rights. This compromise, known as the Massachusetts Compromise, allowed the Constitution to be narrowly ratified in Massachusetts, followed by Maryland and South Carolina.
The Constitution was finally ratified on 21 June 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it, making it the official framework of the government of the United States of America.
Federalists' Push for Constitution Ratification Explained
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The Articles of Confederation
New York's Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
On September 17, 1787, after three months of debate, 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 Founding Question: Ratification of the Constitution by 13 Colonies
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The relative power of state and federal governments
The greatest sticking point when it came to the ratification of the US Constitution was the relative power of the state and federal governments. The Articles of Confederation, which governed the US until the Constitution was ratified, were tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
The framers of the Constitution believed that without the ability to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive for very long. But many people resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states. Virginia's Patrick Henry, for example, feared that the newly created office of president would place excessive power in the hands of one man.
The Constitution was eventually ratified on 21 June 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. This was made possible by the Massachusetts Compromise, which stipulated that amendments would be immediately proposed to protect rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
The Constitution: Ratification and Its Relevance Today
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The need for a stronger, more centralised government
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and arduous process. The Articles of Confederation, which governed the US until the new Constitution was ratified, were tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it soon became clear to some of America’s leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
The greatest sticking point when it came to ratification was the relative power of the state and federal governments. The framers of the Constitution believed that without the ability to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive for very long. However, many people resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states. For example, Virginia’s Patrick Henry feared that the newly created office of president would place excessive power in the hands of one man.
The Constitution was eventually ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire, which became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thereby making the document the law of the land. The Massachusetts Compromise, reached in February 1788, stipulated that amendments to the effect of what became the Bill of Rights would be immediately proposed. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists' Reluctance to Ratify the Constitution
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The election of George Washington
However, the road to ratification was not smooth, as many people resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states. Some states, particularly Massachusetts, opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not reserve undelegated powers to the states and lacked protection for basic political rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. A compromise was reached in February 1788, known as the Massachusetts Compromise, which stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. With this assurance, Massachusetts and other opposing states agreed to ratify the Constitution, and it was subsequently approved by Maryland and South Carolina, followed by New Hampshire as the final state needed for ratification.
After the Constitution was ratified, Congress set dates for the first federal elections, which took place from 15 December 1788 to 10 January 1789. The election of George Washington as the first president, with John Adams as vice president, marked the official implementation of the Constitution and the beginning of a new, stronger federal government for the United States. Washington's election was a significant moment in the country's history, as it signified the unity and strength of the nation under a central authority, and his leadership helped to establish the foundations of the American republic.
The Constitution's Ratification: Vote Count for Approval
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Frequently asked questions
Some states opposed the Constitution because they believed it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion and the press. They also resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states.
The Massachusetts Compromise was a deal reached in February 1788, which stipulated that amendments would be immediately proposed to protect the rights of states. This compromise allowed the Constitution to be ratified in Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina and New Hampshire.
Nine states were needed to ratify the Constitution. New Hampshire was the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the document.
The Articles of Confederation was the governing document of the United States before the Constitution was ratified. It was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries.
