Isabella Carter
The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention. However, it was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution became the official framework for the government of the United States of America on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire cast the ninth vote in favor of ratification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware, on December 7, 1787 |
| Date of official ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Date of ratification by all states | May 29, 1790 |
| Date of first national Thanksgiving | November 26, 1789 |
| Date of initiation of new government | 1789 |
| Date of passage of Residence Act | January 24, 1791 |
| Date of end of ratification process | Early 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia brought together delegates from various states, including influential figures such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and General George Washington. They recognized the need for a stronger central government to resolve disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade that threatened to tear the country apart. One of the fiercest arguments during the Convention was over congressional representation, with delegates ultimately compromising by agreeing to representation proportional to population in the House and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 38 or 39 of the 55 delegates to the Convention, including notable figures like George Washington and James Madison. The document incorporated many of Thomas Jefferson's ideas, although he was unable to sign as he was on a diplomatic mission in Europe. The signing of the Constitution marked the beginning of the ratification process, where it was sent to the states for approval, with Delaware becoming the first state to ratify it on December 7, 1787.
The ratification process was contentious, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists engaging in heated debates. The Federalists, including Hamilton and Madison, lobbied for the Constitution, explaining and defending the proposed new government's functions through publications like "The Federalist Papers." The Anti-Federalists opposed the creation of a powerful central government and advocated for the protection of individual rights. The Massachusetts Compromise of February 1788 helped secure victory, stipulating that amendments, including what became the Bill of Rights, would be proposed immediately.
The US Constitution officially became the nation's founding document on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire cast the ninth ratification vote out of 13 states, surpassing the required nine approvals. The Constitution has since guided the country's government, protected the rights of Americans, and inspired democracies worldwide.
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Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution
The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification, and it would become binding once nine of the former 13 colonies had ratified the document. Delaware's swift action set an important precedent, and the state's delegates also contributed to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, helping to address the issue of small versus large state representation.
The process of ratification was not without its challenges. Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, arguing that it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. However, Federalists, who believed in the necessity of a strong central government, led by Hamilton and James Madison, lobbied for votes in favour of ratification. They produced "The Federalist Papers", a series of 85 essays explaining and defending the proposed new government, which were published in newspapers nationwide.
The tide turned in Massachusetts, where a "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory and shift the momentum towards ratification. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, making federal democracy the law of the land. However, it was not until May 29, 1790, that the Constitution was finally ratified by all states when Rhode Island approved the document.
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The Federalists dominated the vote in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and sent to the states for ratification. The Federalists, who believed in a strong central government, needed to convert at least three states to ratify the Constitution. On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution, followed by Pennsylvania on December 12, 1787, by a vote of 46 to 23. James Wilson, a Scotsman, played a crucial role in Pennsylvania's ratification. He delivered a passionate defence of the Constitution to a large crowd, praising the new government as superior to any other in the world. This swayed many Pennsylvanians towards the Federalist cause.
The Federalists' success in Pennsylvania was significant because it was one of the larger states and carried more weight in the ratification process. The vote in Pennsylvania was also notable for the rancour and bitterness it generated, with strong opposition from Anti-Federalists. They argued that the Constitution created a powerful central government, reminiscent of the one they had overthrown during the Revolutionary War, and lacked a bill of rights. However, the Federalists were able to persuade enough Pennsylvanians that the new government was necessary to address the nation's challenges.
Pennsylvania's ratification of the Constitution was a crucial step towards its enactment. With Pennsylvania's support, the Federalists were well on their way to securing the required number of states for ratification. The vote in Pennsylvania demonstrated the Federalists' ability to sway public opinion and build momentum for the new government. It also highlighted the ongoing tensions between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, setting the stage for further debates over the role of central government in the young nation.
The ratification process was a lengthy and contentious period in American history. It took almost three years for all 13 states to ratify the Constitution, with the final holdout being Rhode Island on May 29, 1790. The ratification process was marked by fierce debates, compromises, and negotiations. The Federalists' victory in Pennsylvania was a pivotal moment in this process, shaping the course of the young nation and solidifying the Federalists' influence.
The Federalists' dominance in Pennsylvania was a result of effective lobbying and persuasive arguments. James Wilson's oratory skills played a significant role, as did the publication of "The Federalist Papers," a series of essays that explained and defended the proposed government. The Federalists' ability to address concerns and build support in Pennsylvania set a precedent for their success in other states, ultimately leading to the establishment of the United States of America as we know it today.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures. These amendments were proposed to address concerns raised during the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, where opponents argued that the Constitution as drafted did not adequately protect individual liberties and could lead to tyranny by the central government.
The Bill of Rights defines citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution. It includes freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. Additionally, it guarantees the right to keep and bear arms, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and safeguards against quartering soldiers in peacetime.
The process of ratifying the Constitution and the Bill of Rights involved proposals and approvals by the state legislatures or ratifying conventions. The average ratification time for the first twenty-six amendments was 1 year and 252 days, demonstrating the time and effort invested in amending the Constitution to ensure a balanced and protected framework for the nation's governance.
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Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, PA, lasted four months. The Constitution was then sent to the states for ratification. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire on June 21, 1788. This marked the official beginning of the Constitution as the nation's founding document. However, Rhode Island, which was the last state to ratify the Constitution, did not approve the document until May 29, 1790.
The process of ratifying the Constitution was contentious and took several years. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, faced opposition from Anti-Federalists who believed that the Constitution created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had recently overthrown. The Anti-Federalists also argued that the Constitution lacked a bill of rights. The Federalists needed to convert at least three states to their cause, and they succeeded in doing so, starting with Massachusetts. The "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory in that state and eventually in the final holdouts.
The ratification of the Constitution was a significant event in the history of the United States, and it continues to shape the country's government and protect the rights of Americans today. The Constitution has also inspired democracies around the world. The first Thanksgiving observed by the newly established United States celebrated the ratification of the Constitution and the founding of the nation. President George Washington designated November 26, 1789, as the first national day of thanksgiving.
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Frequently asked questions
June 21, 1788.
Nine out of 13 states.
Rhode Island was the last state to approve the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
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