Simone Lawson
The ratification of the US Constitution was a complex process that took place over several years. 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. The greatest sticking point when it came to ratification was the relative power of the state and federal governments. Many people resisted increasing the powers of the national government at the expense of the states. However, the framers of the Constitution believed that without the ability to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive. To address concerns about citizens' freedoms, the Bill of Rights, comprising ten amendments, was ratified on December 15, 1791, to become part of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amendments | 17 amendments were introduced by Madison, of which 12 were adopted by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of these, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791. |
| Opposition | Some states opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and press. |
| Compromise | The Massachusetts Compromise of February 1788 stipulated that amendments would be proposed to protect these rights. |
| Ratification | The Constitution was ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution on 29 May 1790. |
| Elections | The first federal elections were held from 15 December 1788 to 10 January 1789, and the new government began on 4 March 1789. |
| Government | George Washington was elected as the first president, and John Adams as vice president. |
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What You'll Learn
The Bill of Rights
> "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 Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Overview
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The Massachusetts Compromise
The Compromise addressed concerns raised by some states that the Constitution did not provide adequate protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Bill of Rights was designed to protect citizens' freedoms and was a necessary addition to the Constitution, according to Thomas Jefferson.
Hamilton's Constitution: Ratification and Legacy
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The relative power of the state and federal governments
The Constitution was ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. However, some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. To address these concerns, the Massachusetts Compromise was reached in February 1788, which stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed.
Ten of the amendments introduced by Madison as part of the Massachusetts Compromise, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year, after all thirteen states had approved the Constitution. The first federal elections took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government began on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President.
The Branches' Ratification: A United Decision
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The election of George Washington as President
With the Constitution in place, the stage was set for the first federal elections. These were scheduled to take place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, with the new government set to begin on March 4, 1789. The election of George Washington as the first President of the United States marked a significant milestone in the country's history. Washington's leadership and experience as a military general during the Revolutionary War made him a popular choice among the electorate. He was widely respected and trusted to guide the young nation towards a stable and prosperous future.
The election itself was a complex process, with each state having its own unique set of rules and procedures. The Electoral College, as outlined in the Constitution, played a crucial role in determining the outcome. This system, designed to balance the interests of small and large states, involved electors from each state casting votes for President and Vice President. In the end, George Washington emerged as the clear winner, with John Adams, who had played a significant role in the ratification of the Constitution, elected as his Vice President.
The inauguration of George Washington as President on April 30, 1789, signified a new beginning for the United States. It marked the official transition from the weak and unstable government under the Articles of Confederation to a stronger, more unified nation under the Constitution. Washington's leadership would prove pivotal in shaping the early years of the American republic, setting precedents and establishing traditions that would endure for generations to come.
The Long Road to Ratification: The US Constitution
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The election of John Adams as Vice President
The election of John Adams was important for several reasons. Firstly, it marked the beginning of a new era in American politics, with the establishment of the country's first federal government. Secondly, it demonstrated the people's desire for a strong and effective national government, as Adams had been a strong advocate for increasing the powers of the federal government during the Constitutional Convention.
John Adams played a crucial role in the ratification of the Constitution, which had been a contentious issue. Some states had opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not adequately protect citizens' rights and freedoms. Adams, along with Thomas Jefferson, had engaged in a lively correspondence regarding the need for a bill of rights. In a letter dated March 15, 1789, Jefferson expressed his support for a declaration of rights, stating, "I am happy to find that on the whole you are a friend to this amendment".
The concerns raised by Adams, Jefferson, and others ultimately led to the introduction of amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were designed to protect citizens' freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, becoming an integral part of the Constitution and addressing the concerns that had been raised during the ratification process.
Federalists' Constitution Ratification: A Viewpoint Explored
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Frequently asked questions
The main issue was the relative power of the state and federal governments.
The solution was to give the federal government the power to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress.
The Massachusetts Compromise was an agreement that stipulated that amendments would be proposed to protect citizens' rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and press.
The amendments from the Massachusetts Compromise were known as the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791.
