Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. However, the process of ratification was long and challenging, with intense debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalists opposed the concentration of power in the federal government and criticized the absence of a Bill of Rights. The Federalists, on the other hand, argued that a strong central government was necessary and promised to address concerns through amendments. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms and protections, played a crucial role in securing ratification. The Constitution's authority derived from state conventions, reflecting the will of the people, and it replaced the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and centralized governance. Amendments to the Constitution are added upon ratification by three-fourths of the states, with 27 amendments currently in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| Number of states needed for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| States that ratified the Constitution | New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina |
| Amendments | 27 |
| Bill of Rights | Added in 1791 |
| Location of the capital | Along the Potomac River |
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What You'll Learn
The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution is one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. The journey to its ratification was, however, a long and arduous process. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money. America's leaders soon realized that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government.
The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. However, the Anti-Federalists fought hard against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. The ratification campaign was a close call. The Federalists, who believed that a strong central government was necessary, needed to convert at least three states. They secured ratification by promising to support amendments to address concerns about individual liberties once the Constitution was adopted.
North Carolina initially rejected the Constitution, citing the lack of a Bill of Rights, but ratified it in November 1789 after the promise of amendments. Rhode Island, the final holdout, ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, under pressure from the federal government and the threat of economic isolation.
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A stronger, more centralized government
The United States Constitution, which was ratified in 1789, established a federal government with more specific powers, thereby creating a stronger, more centralized government. The Constitution was a replacement for the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation had given the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, or print money.
The delegates to the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787, which was held in Philadelphia, created a model of government that relied upon a series of checks and balances by dividing federal authority between the Legislative, the Judicial, and the Executive branches of government. The Constitution also establishes and limits the authority of the Federal Government over the states and emphasizes that the power of the states will serve as a check on the power of the national government.
The Constitution gave the central government specific important powers, including economic and military powers. These economic powers included the authority to levy taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, and establish bankruptcy laws. The Constitution also gave the President the authority to conduct foreign relations.
The Federalists, who believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation’s challenges, supported the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, fought against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had just overthrown, and it lacked a bill of rights.
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A permanent capital
The U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1789, established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a model of government that relied on a series of checks and balances by dividing federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
The establishment of a permanent capital was an important step in the formation of the new nation. On July 16, 1790, the capital was officially set, almost a year and a half after the general elections. The location of the capital was born out of negotiation. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson wanted to pass the Residence Act, which would set the location of the nation's capital along the Potomac River, giving the South increased influence.
Jefferson struck a deal with Alexander Hamilton, who was seeking passage of the Funding Act to assume state Revolutionary War debts and endow the federal government with more economic power. In return for Hamilton's support, Jefferson and Madison helped secure the votes needed to pass the Residence Act. The precise geographic location of the capital was left to President Washington, and on January 24, 1791, land was designated for construction.
The establishment of a permanent capital was a significant step in solidifying the new government's authority and unifying the nation. It provided a central location for the seat of government and helped to establish the federal government's presence in the new nation. The capital, Washington, D.C., has since become a symbol of the United States and its democratic values.
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A stronger federal government
The United States Constitution, ratified in 1788, established a stronger federal government by addressing the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which was the country's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation had created a loose confederation of states, each acting like independent, sovereign countries. This led to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening to tear the young nation apart.
The Constitution's proponents, known as Federalists, believed that a strong central government was necessary to tackle these challenges. They argued that the new government would be constrained by the Constitution and pose no threat to citizens' rights. Alexander Hamilton, a key figure in advocating for a stronger federal government, helped convince Congress to organize a Grand Convention of state delegates to revise the Articles. The resulting Constitution created a powerful central government with the ability to regulate commerce, enforce laws, and print money.
The Federalists faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, who feared that the Constitution concentrated too much power in the federal government, infringing on states' rights. They criticized the absence of a Bill of Rights, arguing that individual liberties were not adequately protected. The ratification process involved intense debates and narrow margins of victory in several states, with Anti-Federalists raising valid concerns.
To address these concerns, Federalists like James Madison, who initially hesitated over the necessity of a Bill of Rights, took the lead in drafting amendments. The Federalists promised to support amendments that addressed liberties and states' rights, ultimately leading to the addition of the Bill of Rights. This concession was crucial in securing ratification in several states, as skeptics were swayed by the promise of future amendments.
The Constitution's ratification and subsequent amendments strengthened the federal government by providing it with the necessary powers to regulate commerce, enforce laws, and print money while also protecting individual liberties through the Bill of Rights. The process of adopting the Constitution demonstrated the delicate balance between establishing a strong central government while also addressing states' rights and individual freedoms.
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The first president
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. However, it did not include a Bill of Rights, which was a significant concern for many, including the Anti-Federalists, who believed that it did not adequately protect individual liberties. North Carolina initially rejected the Constitution for this very reason and only ratified it in November 1789 after being assured that amendments would be made.
The Federalists, on the other hand, argued that a list of rights might be incomplete and that the national government was constrained by the Constitution, so it posed no threat to citizens' rights. Eventually, during the ratification debate in Virginia, James Madison, who had initially been hesitant, conceded that a Bill of Rights was necessary.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791. These amendments guaranteed fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against government overreach.
The process of ratifying the US Constitution was a lengthy and challenging one, with intense debates and public scrutiny. The Federalists, who believed in a strong central government, and the Anti-Federalists, who favoured more state rights, clashed over the concentration of power and the protection of individual liberties. The Federalists ultimately secured ratification by promising to address concerns through amendments once the Constitution was adopted.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land that outlines the powers of the judiciary and the government.
The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it. The addition of the Bill of Rights was one of the most significant outcomes of the ratification debates.
The Bill of Rights was a promise to add a set of amendments to the Constitution to address concerns about individual liberties and states' rights.
The Bill of Rights became a part of the Constitution at the end of 1791 when ten amendments, including the right to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, were ratified.
