Simone Lawson
The US Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states in 1789, but it was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year. The capital was not set until 16 July 1790, almost a year and a half after the general elections. A proposed amendment becomes an operative part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (currently 38 of the 50 states).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 29 May 1790 |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution | 9 of 13 |
| Number of states required to ratify an amendment | 38 of 50 |
| Bill of Rights | Added at the end of 1791 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Bill of Rights
The addition of the Bill of Rights was a key concern for some of those who initially opposed the Constitution, such as Edmund Randolph, who was persuaded that a strong union was necessary for the country's survival. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson also corresponded about the need for a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms.
The Historic Year Massachusetts Ratified the US Constitution
You may want to see also
The capital
The Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire, but four states remained outside the newly formed union, including Virginia and New York. In Virginia, James Madison's active support and the intercession of George Washington, who wrote letters to the convention, changed many minds. Some who had initially opposed the Constitution, such as Edmund Randolph, were persuaded that the creation of a strong union was necessary for the country's survival and changed their position.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson corresponded regarding the ratification of the Constitution. In a letter dated March 15, 1789, after the Constitution had been ratified by nine states but before it had been approved by all thirteen, Jefferson reiterated his previously expressed concerns that a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms was necessary and should be added to the Constitution.
The Constitution did not become law until it was ratified by nine of the thirteen states, as required by Article VII, the final article of the Constitution. A proposed amendment becomes an operative part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (currently 38 of the 50 states).
The Constitution's Early Adopters: States Leading the Way
You may want to see also
Amendments
The US Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states in 1789, but it was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The Constitution was amended after its ratification. A proposed amendment becomes an operative part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50 states). The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of 1791.
The addition of a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms was a concern of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in a letter dated 15 March 1789:
> '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.'
In Virginia, James Madison's active support and the intercession of George Washington, who wrote letters to the convention, persuaded many to support the Constitution. Some Virginia delegates were swayed by the promise that a bill of rights similar to the Virginia Declaration of Rights would be added after the Constitution was ratified.
The Constitution's Ratification: Supermajority or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The location of the capital
The decision was born out of negotiation, like most decisions in the formation of the budding nation. The capital was not set until all states had ratified the Constitution. This did not happen until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. The location was chosen because it was close to the country's largest city at the time, Philadelphia, and because it was a central location for the original 13 colonies. The city is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States, and the "D.C." stands for District of Columbia, which is the federal district that contains the capital.
The District of Columbia was created in 1790 from land donated by the states of Maryland and Virginia. The city of Washington was founded in 1791 and became the capital in 1800. The city was designed by French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who created a plan with broad avenues and public spaces. The city was built on a grid system, with numbered streets running north-south and lettered streets running east-west. The original plan for the city included a large mall, which is now known as the National Mall, and a large park, which is now called the National Mall.
Challenges to Constitution Ratification: Overcoming Obstacles
You may want to see also
The creation of a strong union
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year. A proposed amendment becomes an operative part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50). The text requires no additional action by Congress or anyone else after ratification by the required number of states.
Article VII, the final article of the Constitution, required that before the Constitution could become law and a new government could form, the document had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Copies of the Constitution were sent to each of the states, which were to hold ratifying conventions to either accept or reject it.
The Constitution: Ratified in 1776?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Bill of Rights.
Nine out of the 13 states.
11 states had ratified the Constitution before the Bill of Rights was added in 1791.
