Simone Lawson
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a long and arduous process that took place between 1787 and 1788. The journey to ratification began with a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, led by Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, which sought to address weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. The Convention ultimately proposed a new form of government, outlined in the Constitution, which was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. The document was then sent to the states for ratification, requiring approval from nine of the 13 states to be accepted as the nation's founding document. The ratification process sparked intense national debate between Federalists, supporters of the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it due to concerns over states' rights and the absence of a Bill of Rights. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire cast the deciding vote, making the Constitution the official framework of the U.S. government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing of the U.S. Constitution | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed the U.S. Constitution | 39 out of 55 |
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date of first state ratification | December 7, 1787 |
| Date the Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government | June 21, 1788 |
| State that cast the deciding vote to ratify the Constitution | New Hampshire |
| Date of full ratification by all 13 states | May 29, 1790 |
| Date of ratification of the Bill of Rights | December 15, 1791 |
| Date of the first national Thanksgiving | November 26, 1789 |
| Date of the Constitutional Convention | May to September 1787 |
| Location of the Constitutional Convention | Philadelphia, PA |
| Key issues addressed in the Constitution | Structure of the legislative branch, balance of power between large and small states, and slavery |
| Number of amendments proposed by Madison | 17 |
| Number of amendments adopted by Congress | 12 |
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What You'll Learn
The number of states required to ratify the Constitution
The US Constitution was sent to the states for ratification votes. Nine of the 13 states were required to ratify the Constitution for it to become the official framework for the government of the United States of America.
On August 31, the delegates decided by a vote of eight states to three that nine states would be appropriate to implement the Constitution among the ratifying states. This number was chosen because nine was the number of states necessary in the Confederation Congress to adopt important matters such as borrowing money, declaring war, ratifying treaties, and admitting new states into the Union.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire cast the ninth vote in favour of ratification, making it the official framework of the government of the United States. All 13 states eventually ratified the US Constitution by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the last holdout, finally approved the document.
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The role of specially-elected state conventions
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a long and arduous process. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention debated in secret whether to send the Constitution to the states, asking them to call specially-elected state conventions to consider ratification. The Federalists, supporters of the Constitution, formed a large majority of the congressional delegates and wanted to forward it to the states with the approbation of Congress. The Antifederalists, on the other hand, wanted to send the Constitution to the states with amendments, including a bill of rights.
The specially-elected state conventions played a crucial role in the ratification process. Each state held a special convention to debate and vote on ratification, and this process was far from smooth, with significant opposition in several states. The Federalists and Antifederalists engaged in an intense national debate, with the Federalists promoting ratification and addressing Antifederalist concerns through the Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under the pseudonym "Publius".
The specially-elected state conventions were important because they represented the will of the people directly. This process made the new federal Constitution superior to any specific legislature. The delegates at the conventions debated key issues, including the structure of the legislative branch, the balance of power between large and small states, and the contentious question of slavery. The Great Compromise resolved disputes between states by establishing a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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 official framework of the government of the United States of America. All 13 states eventually ratified the U.S. Constitution by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the last holdout, finally approved the document under pressure from the new federal government.
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The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a long and arduous process. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which allowed states to act more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to America's leaders that a stronger, more centralized government was needed for future stability. The Federalists, supporters of the Constitution, wanted to send it to the states with the approval of Congress. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists, or the opponents, proposed sending the Constitution to the states with amendments, including a bill of rights.
The Federalists believed that a bill of rights was unnecessary because the new federal government had no authority to regulate the freedoms of the press or religion. They argued that rights were best secured by auxiliary precautions like the division and separation of powers, bicameralism, and a representative form of government. The Federalists also believed that bills of rights had historically been useless, overridden in times of crisis.
The Anti-Federalists, however, argued that people were entirely free in a state of nature, but some rights were yielded for the common good in society. They believed that certain fundamental rights should always be retained by the people and explicitly stated in a bill of rights, which would define the limits of government. A bill of rights, according to the Anti-Federalists, would serve as a warning system for the people, alerting them when their rights were threatened. They also wanted to preserve state autonomy against federal encroachments.
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The influence of George Washington
The ratification process of the US Constitution was a long and arduous journey. Between September 26 and 28, 1787, Congress debated in secret whether to send the Constitution to the states for ratification. The majority of congressional delegates were Federalists and supporters of the Constitution, who wanted to forward it to the states. A handful of opponents, known as Antifederalists, proposed sending the Constitution to the states with amendments, including a bill of rights. The Antifederalists also argued that the ratification process suggested by the Philadelphia Convention violated the amendment procedure provided by the Articles of Confederation.
To understand the influence of George Washington on the ratification process, we need to go back to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Washington, who had expressed concerns about the disintegration of the nation, presided over the convention as its elected president. While he rarely spoke during debates, his commanding presence and support for the Constitution were key. Washington's signature on the Constitution carried significant weight, and Federalists often used his image and reputation to promote ratification.
Washington's private letters also reveal his support for the Constitution. In a letter to Charles Carter on December 14, 1787, Washington expressed his opinion on the Constitution, arguing that it was "the best constitution that can be obtained." In another letter to Lafayette, he wrote about the upcoming struggle over ratification, stating, "A few short weeks will determine the political fate of America for the present generation and probably produce no small influence on the happiness of society through a long succession of ages to come."
Washington's influence extended beyond the ratification process. He was instrumental in transforming the ideals of the American Revolution into reality, and his achievements as commander-in-chief during the Revolution and as the first president further solidified his impact on the nation's constitutional legacy. Washington also guided the new government through the organization of the executive branch, founded the nation's capital, and established precedents that influenced succeeding presidents.
In summary, George Washington's influence on the ratification process of the Constitution was significant. His role as president of the Constitutional Convention, his private support for the Constitution, and the use of his image by Federalists all contributed to the eventual ratification of the document. Washington's influence continued to shape the nation as the first president and through his achievements during and after the Revolutionary War.
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The process of drafting and signing the Constitution
The drafting process of the United States Constitution began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention met for the first time at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The convention was attended by delegates from 12 states, including David Brearley from New Jersey, George Washington, James Madison, and George Mason from Virginia, and Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing Articles of Confederation, which served as the country's first constitution but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money.
The delegates worked on drafting the Constitution over a period of four months, with committees established to address specific issues and secure breakthroughs. On August 6, 1787, a working draft of the proposed Constitution was presented by Rutledge, and printed copies were distributed to the delegates. This draft included a Preamble, which started with the words, "We the People of the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island," and so on.
On September 17, 1787, the Constitutional Convention concluded with 39 delegates signing the new U.S. Constitution. George Read signed on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, and George Washington, as president of the convention, signed first. The signing took place in Philadelphia, and the original document is now on display in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
Following the signing, the Constitution was sent to the states for ratification votes. The delegates decided that nine out of thirteen states were required to ratify the Constitution for it to become the official framework of the government. This decision was made to ensure that a majority of people were represented in the ratification process. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official governing document of the United States.
The ratification process was not without opposition. Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution due to its creation of a powerful central government and the lack of a bill of rights, proposed sending the Constitution to the states with amendments. However, Federalists, who supported the Constitution, wanted to forward it to the states without congressional approbation. Eventually, the Constitution was sent to the states with the recommendation that specially-elected conventions be called to ratify it. All 13 states eventually ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the final state, approved the document.
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Frequently asked questions
The ratification process of the constitution involves sending the document to the states for approval. In the case of the US Constitution, this was a long and arduous process that involved intense national debate between Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it.
The Archivist of the United States, who heads the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is responsible for administering the ratification process. They receive authenticated ratification documents from the states and, once the required number is reached, the Archivist certifies that the amendment is valid and has become part of the Constitution.
The OFR, or Office of the Federal Register, is responsible for processing and publishing the original document. They also assemble information packages for the states and examine ratification documents for legal sufficiency and authenticating signatures.
The President does not have a constitutional role in the ratification process. However, the President may be involved in other ways. For example, President George Washington played an active role in facilitating the ratification of the US Constitution throughout various states, and the certification of an amendment has become a ceremonial function attended by various dignitaries, including the President.
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