Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve the document. The road to ratification was long and contentious, with the Constitutional Convention debating for months in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before signing the document on September 17, 1787. The Constitution then needed to be ratified by nine of the 13 states, with Delaware being the first to do so on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina. The remaining states ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the final state, approved the document. The U.S. Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government, guiding and shaping the nation's laws and political system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware, December 7, 1787 |
| Second state to ratify | Pennsylvania |
| Third state to ratify | New Jersey |
| Fourth state to ratify | Georgia |
| Fifth state to ratify | Connecticut |
| Sixth state to ratify | Massachusetts |
| Seventh state to ratify | Maryland |
| Eighth state to ratify | South Carolina |
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Ninth state to ratify | New Hampshire |
| Date of full ratification | May 29, 1790 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788
The process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution began with the recognition that the Articles of Confederation, which had been adopted in 1777 and established a league of friendship between the 13 independent states, were inadequate for governing the newly formed nation. The Articles gave little power to the central government, and it became clear that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention, and on May 25, 1787, representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia to participate in the Convention. The Convention concluded on September 17, 1787, with the signing of the new US Constitution by 38 or 39 out of 41 or 55 delegates present. The document was then sent to the states for ratification, with Article VII requiring the approval of nine of the 13 states for it to become binding.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification process was contentious, with passionate debates between Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The publication of "The Federalist Papers" by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, which explained and defended the proposed new government, played a crucial role in lobbying for votes in favor of ratification.
Finally, on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire cast the deciding vote, making the Constitution the official framework of the government of the United States. This date is significant in American history, and it was even celebrated as the first national Thanksgiving by President George Washington in 1789.
Personal Freedom and the Constitution
You may want to see also
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. This was a significant moment in the history of the United States, as it was the minimum number of states required for the Constitution to take effect and become the law of the land.
The road to ratification was long and challenging. The country was initially governed by the Articles of Confederation, which gave limited powers to the central government. However, it became clear that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. This led to calls for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The convention, which began on May 25, 1787, resulted in the proposal of a new form of government. The new US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and the process of ratification by the states began.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, the road to ratification was not without opposition. Anti-Federalists expressed concerns about the lack of protections for individual rights and the potential for a powerful central government. The Federalists, who advocated for the Constitution, promised that a Bill of Rights would be added after ratification, which helped sway the decision in several states, including New Hampshire.
New Hampshire's ratification was particularly significant because it marked a turning point. It enabled the Constitution to become the law of the land and paved the way for other prominent states, such as Virginia and New York, to follow suit. This ensured stronger support for the federal government established by the Constitution. The ratification by New Hampshire was also notable because it demonstrated the contingent nature of ratification. The state's political traditions and habits, as well as the influence of Federalist arguments, played a role in its decision to approve the Constitution.
Overall, the ratification of the US Constitution by New Hampshire as the ninth state on June 21, 1788, was a pivotal moment in the establishment of the country's governing framework. It highlighted the importance of compromise and negotiation in the formation of the United States as a nation.
How to Leave a Lasting Legacy at UChicago
You may want to see also
The first state to ratify was Delaware
The United States Constitution was drafted by delegates from 13 states at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which began on May 25, 1778. The convention aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the United States, but the delegates ultimately proposed a new form of government. The new constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and the process of ratification by the states began.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787. The state's legislature began its new session in October 1787 and, by early November, had called for elections for the state ratifying convention to be held on November 9 and 10. 30 delegates were elected, and they unanimously ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787. Interestingly, there was no overt opposition to the Constitution in Delaware, and all of the state's normally combative political factions favored the new constitution.
Delaware was followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut as the next states to ratify. The ratification process concluded when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. However, it is important to note that the Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the final state, approved the document.
Civil War's Constitutional Questions: Addressing the Union's Future
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ratification process began on September 17, 1787
The United States Constitution is a landmark document in the history of the nation, and its ratification was a significant milestone. The process of ratification began on September 17, 1787, when 38 or 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document. The signing took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at what is now known as Independence Hall. The Constitutional Convention had first convened on May 25, 1787, with representatives from all 13 states, to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been the first constitution of the United States. However, the convention ultimately resulted in the proposal and creation of a new form of government.
The ratification process for the Constitution was a long and arduous journey. The document was sent to the states for debate and ratification votes, with the understanding that nine of the 13 states needed to approve it for it to become the nation's official framework. This process ignored the amendment provision of the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of all the states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The road to ratification was not without its challenges and controversies. There was strong opposition from Anti-Federalists, who published essays and letters expressing their objections. The Federalists, on the other hand, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, produced "The Federalist Papers," a series of 85 essays explaining and defending the proposed new government. The passionate debates and disagreements over the Constitution played out in the national arena, with Pennsylvania, due to its size and influence, being a particular focus of attention.
Finally, on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, marking its official adoption as the framework of the United States government. This date also became a day of celebration, with President George Washington designating November 26, 1789, as the first national day of thanksgiving to commemorate the ratification of the Constitution and the founding of the nation. While the Constitution had been ratified by the required number of states, it would take several more years for all 13 states to approve it, with Rhode Island being the last to do so on May 29, 1790.
Targeted Killings: Constitutional Quandary in Peaceful Countries
You may want to see also
All 13 states ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 of the 41 delegates present. However, it was not binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. 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 state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the US government.
The journey to ratification was long and arduous. Before the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which was tailored to a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It became clear to America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. New York's Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1778.
The initial purpose of the Convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favor of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers", which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. These essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
The process of ratification was not without its challenges. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it, both passionately put forth their positions. The Anti-Federalist minority in Pennsylvania, for example, published their "Dissent". However, by May 29, 1790, all 13 states had ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the final state to do so. The Bill of Rights, which comprised ten of the twelve amendments introduced by Madison, was ratified on December 15, 1791.
Understanding Probable Cause: Border Patrol Powers Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The U.S. Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
The Constitution required ratification by nine of the 13 states.
The process of ratification began on September 17, 1787, when the U.S. Constitution was signed and sent to the states.
