Isabella Carter
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and arduous process. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. The Constitution was ratified by nine states by March 15, 1789, but it was not approved by all thirteen until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| Number of states that ratified it | 9 out of 13 |
| Date of full ratification | 29 May 1790 |
| Date of Bill of Rights ratification | 15 December 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
The Bill of Rights
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America’s leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
In a letter dated 15 March 1789, after the Constitution had been ratified by nine states but before it had been approved by all 13, Thomas Jefferson reiterated his previously expressed concerns that a bill of rights to protect citizens’ freedoms was necessary and should be added to the Constitution.
Ten of the amendments introduced by Madison and born from the Massachusetts Compromise, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791.
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The Massachusetts Compromise
The Bill of Rights was designed to protect citizens' freedoms and rights. It was seen as a necessary addition to the Constitution to ensure that the government could not infringe on the rights of its citizens. The Bill of Rights was a response to the concerns raised by Jefferson and others who felt that the Constitution, as it stood, did not adequately protect citizens' freedoms.
The Constitution's Ratification: What Was Needed?
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The Articles of Confederation
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The Articles of Confederation were the governing document of the United States before the Constitution was ratified. The Articles of Confederation were tailored to a newly formed nation made up 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 process of ratifying the Constitution was a long and arduous one. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. Even after the Constitution's ratification, the United States did not begin to look and function as it does today until several years later. The Bill of Rights, which consisted of ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791, and became part of the Constitution.
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The Federal Register
The Constitution of the United States of America was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The Constitution, however, was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island gave its approval.
Even after the Constitution was ratified, there were calls for amendments to be added. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, expressed concerns in a letter dated March 15, 1789, that a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms was necessary. Madison also introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Women's Suffrage: A Constitutional Conundrum
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The U.S. Statutes at Large
On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. However, even after this, the U.S. did not begin to look and function as it does today until several years later. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
In a letter dated March 15, 1789, Thomas Jefferson expressed his concerns that a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms was necessary and should be added to the Constitution. He wrote:
> In the arguments in favor of a declaration of rights, ... I am happy to find that on the whole you are a friend to this amendment. The Declaration of rights is like all other human blessings alloyed with some inconveniences, and not accomplishing fully it’s object.
Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The certification of the ratification of an amendment is published in the Federal Register and U.S. Statutes at Large and serves as official notice to Congress and the Nation that the amendment process has been completed.
The Journey to Ratify the Constitution
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was ratified by nine states on March 15, 1789, but it was not approved by all thirteen until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries.
Ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
