Malcolm Rivera
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the United States Constitution, ensuring its enactment. The road to ratification was long and arduous, with passionate disagreements between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, led by figures like Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a stronger central government, while Anti-Federalists opposed this shift, valuing state autonomy and individual liberties. New Hampshire's ratification was pivotal as it set the stage for key states like Virginia and New York to follow suit, solidifying the legitimacy of the new government. The subsequent promise of a Bill of Rights, addressing concerns over civil liberties, further strengthened the nation's foundation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution | 21 June 1788 |
| New Hampshire's position in ratification | Ninth state to ratify |
| Number of states that had ratified the Constitution by June 1788 | Eight |
| Effect of New Hampshire's ratification | Constitution went into effect |
| Effect of New Hampshire's ratification | First federal elections were scheduled |
| Effect of New Hampshire's ratification | Date was set for the new government to begin |
| Effect of New Hampshire's ratification | The nation's first presidential election took place |
| Effect of New Hampshire's ratification | George Washington was elected President |
| Effect of New Hampshire's ratification | John Adams was elected Vice President |
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What You'll Learn
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the US Constitution, putting it into effect. The road to ratification was long and arduous, with passionate disagreement between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, led by the likes of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued that the Constitution was necessary for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, countering foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists, who were used to annual elections for state legislators, opposed the longer terms for representatives and senators outlined in the Constitution, believing it stripped power from state governments. They also objected to the creation of a federal judicial branch and the prohibition of religious tests for public office.
New Hampshire's political landscape was deeply divided, with geography and occupation influencing political leanings. Those closest to the coast in the Portsmouth area tended to be Federalists, while those in the central and backcountry parts of the state leaned Anti-Federalist. However, Federalists held more influence due to the support of merchants, the clergy, and newspaper editors, who played a significant role in shaping public opinion.
The New Hampshire convention, which opened in Exeter on February 13, 1788, engaged in a section-by-section discussion of the Constitution. Despite Anti-Federalist efforts, New Hampshire ultimately ratified the Constitution, ensuring its implementation. This outcome was crucial, as the participation of key states like New Hampshire was essential for the legitimacy of the new government.
Following New Hampshire's ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. The nation's first presidential election took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, resulting in George Washington being elected President and John Adams as Vice President. The new government commenced on March 4, 1789.
It is worth noting that the Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights, a significant outcome of the ratification debates, did not become part of the Constitution until the end of 1791.
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The ratification occurred on June 21, 1788
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the US Constitution, putting it into effect. The journey to ratification was long and arduous, with passionate disagreement between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, led by figures such as Alexander Hamilton, argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists, used to annual elections, opposed the longer terms for representatives and senators, believing they stripped power from state governments. They also objected to the creation of a federal judicial branch.
The ratification process began in May 1787 when delegates from 12 states convened in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that amendments would not be enough, and a new constitution was proposed. The final draft of the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 55 delegates, and the first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787. New Hampshire's convention opened in Exeter on February 13, 1788, and began a section-by-section discussion of the Constitution.
The ratification of the Constitution by New Hampshire had significant consequences. Firstly, it ensured that the Constitution would go into effect, as it was the ninth state to ratify, reaching the required threshold of nine states out of thirteen. Additionally, New Hampshire's ratification set in motion the first federal elections, which were scheduled to take place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. The new government under the Constitution officially began on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as the first President and John Adams as Vice President.
The ratification also highlighted the ongoing debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. In New Hampshire, opinions on the Constitution varied by location and occupation, with those closest to the coast in the Portsmouth area being strongly Federalist, while those in central and backcountry areas leaned Anti-Federalist. The influence of merchants, the clergy, and newspaper editors, who tended to support ratification, carried an outsized impact on public opinion. Despite the opposition, New Hampshire ultimately joined the new union, and the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States.
The promise of a Bill of Rights was also a significant outcome of the ratification debates. While some states voiced opposition to the Constitution due to the lack of protection for certain rights, the inclusion of a Bill of Rights was agreed upon, and it became part of the Constitution by the end of 1791. The ratification of the Constitution by New Hampshire, therefore, played a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation and its governing principles.
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The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790
The United States Constitution was approved by a majority of delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. However, it did not become the law of the land until it underwent public scrutiny and debate and was ratified by the states. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the last holdout, narrowly approved the document.
Before the Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was designed for a newly formed nation of states acting as independent, sovereign countries. However, it became evident that ensuring future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. As a result, Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The Constitutional Convention, which began on May 25, 1787, brought together representatives from all 13 states in Philadelphia. The initial goal was to amend the Articles of Confederation. Still, the convention ultimately led to the proposal and creation of a new form of government. The proposed government had three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, each structured to check and balance the others' powers.
The ratification process for the Constitution varied across states. Delaware was the first state to ratify on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. New Hampshire, which had a strong tradition of town government and a guiding political principle of guarding popular liberties, became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, after intense debates and discussions.
Rhode Island, on the other hand, initially rejected the Constitution in March 1788 through a popular referendum. It was only in 1790, faced with the threat of being treated as a foreign government, that Rhode Island narrowly ratified the Constitution by just two votes, completing the ratification process across all states.
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![The Constitution of New Hampshire as Amended by the Constitutional Convention Held at Concord on the First Wednesday of January, A. D. 1889. [Manchester-1889]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519Rx-9r7rL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The ratification sparked a debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
New Hampshire's ratification of the US Constitution on June 21, 1788, was a significant development in the country's political history. It was the ninth state to do so, and it set off a chain of events that led to the establishment of the federal government and the election of George Washington as the first President. However, the ratification also sparked a heated debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, highlighting the deep political divisions within the country.
The Federalists, led by influential figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, strongly supported the ratification. They believed that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong and effective central government. In their view, a centralised government was crucial for unifying the nation, protecting against external threats, and effectively managing domestic affairs. They also argued that the system of checks and balances within the Constitution would prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful.
On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists vehemently opposed the ratification. They were concerned about the concentration of power in the central government and believed that it infringed on the autonomy of individual states. Anti-Federalists in New Hampshire, for instance, were used to annual elections for members of the state legislature and were thus opposed to the two-year and six-year terms for representatives and senators under the new Constitution. They also objected to the powers given to Congress, believing that it stripped power from the state governments. Another point of contention was the creation of a federal judicial branch.
The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists reflected a broader ideological divide in the country. Federalists tended to be merchants, clergy, and newspaper editors, and they had a significant influence on shaping public opinion. They often resided in coastal areas, such as the populous Portsmouth area in New Hampshire. In contrast, Anti-Federalists found support in the central and backcountry parts of the state. They were concerned about preserving popular liberties and local traditions of town government.
The ratification of the Constitution by New Hampshire and the subsequent debates highlighted the complexities and challenges faced during the nation-building process in the United States. It also set a precedent for future political discourse and the ongoing negotiation between centralisation and states' rights that continues to shape American politics.
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The ratification led to the first presidential election
New Hampshire's ratification of the US Constitution was a significant step towards establishing a strong and centralized government in the country. The state became the ninth out of 13 states to ratify the document on June 21, 1788, putting the Constitution into effect. This event set in motion a series of political developments, including the first presidential election in US history.
The road to New Hampshire's ratification was not without challenges. Initially, Federalists in the state, including John Langdon, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and John Sullivan, the state's chief executive, were confident about securing the ratification. They believed that the state's political traditions and the influence of merchants, the clergy, and newspaper editors would work in their favour. However, Anti-Federalists in New Hampshire posed a formidable opposition. They argued that the Constitution endangered popular liberties and successfully secured the election of many ratification opponents to the convention.
The New Hampshire convention, which opened in Exeter on February 13, 1788, witnessed extensive debates on four key issues. Firstly, Anti-Federalists opposed the two-year and six-year terms for representatives and senators, as they were accustomed to annual elections. Secondly, they believed that Article I powers granted to Congress diminished the power of state governments. Thirdly, the creation of a federal judicial branch sparked objections. Finally, New Hampshirites wanted to uphold their 1784 state constitution's requirement that officeholding be limited to Protestants, conflicting with Article VI's prohibition of religious tests for public office.
Despite these disagreements, New Hampshire's ratification played a pivotal role in the nation's political trajectory. Following the ratification, Congress scheduled the first federal elections, which took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. On March 4, 1789, the new government was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in the formation of the United States of America. George Washington was elected as the first President, with John Adams as the Vice President.
The first presidential election was a culmination of the efforts to establish a unified and stable government, moving away from the Articles of Confederation, which had treated states more like independent, sovereign entities. While the journey towards ratification faced obstacles and differing opinions, the election of George Washington as the nation's first President signified a step towards a more centralized and cohesive nation.
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Frequently asked questions
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, ensuring that it would go into effect.
New Hampshire's approval of the Constitution meant that the country would now be governed by the Constitution instead of the Articles of Confederation, leading to a stronger, more centralized government.
Four main issues were extensively debated during the convention: the length of terms for representatives and senators, the powers given to Congress, the creation of a federal judicial branch, and the prohibition of religious tests for public office.
Federalists, who supported the Constitution, argued that it provided a framework for an effective central government capable of unifying the nation and protecting against foreign threats. Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, opposed the Constitution, believing it endangered popular liberties and gave too much power to the central government.
The ratification debates resulted in the promise to add a Bill of Rights, which was a significant outcome. The Bill of Rights addressed concerns over the protection of rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and press.
