Omar Bennett
New Hampshire's ratification of the US Constitution on 21 June 1788 was a significant moment in the country's history. As the ninth state to ratify the document, New Hampshire's approval put the Constitution into effect, establishing a stronger, more centralised government for the United States of America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21st June 1788 |
| State | New Hampshire |
| Order of ratification | Ninth state to ratify the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Initially, approval seemed like a sure thing, but then it seemed that New Hampshire might be the first state to vote no. Delegates who gathered at the state convention in February 1788 met for only a week before suddenly adjourning—a decision that sent shockwaves around the country and dismayed Federalists.
Article VII of the 1787 US Constitution stated that once nine states had ratified, it would become “sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same”. The eight other states that had ratified the Constitution before New Hampshire were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina.
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The Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788
The United States Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so.
New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution was not straightforward. Initially, approval seemed likely, but then it seemed that New Hampshire might be the first state to vote no. Delegates at the state convention in February 1788 met for just a week before adjourning, which dismayed Federalists.
New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution put it into effect, in accordance with Article VII, which stated that once nine states had ratified, it would become "sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same". The eight other states that had ratified the Constitution before New Hampshire were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Before the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which allowed states to act more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
Challenges of Ratifying the Constitution: Why Was It So Hard?
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The ratification was not straightforward
The ratification of the US Constitution by New Hampshire was not straightforward. At first, approval seemed likely, but then delegates at the state convention in February 1788 met for only a week before adjourning, which shocked the country and dismayed Federalists. New Hampshire ultimately became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on 21 June 1788, but it was a long and arduous process. Until 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 some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government, and New York's Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
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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 state convention in February 1788 met for only a week before adjourning
New Hampshire ratified the US Constitution on 21 June 1788, becoming the ninth state to do so.
Approval of the Constitution by New Hampshire seemed like a sure thing at first. However, it then seemed that New Hampshire might be the first state to vote no. The state convention in February 1788 was adjourned after only a week. This sudden decision sent shockwaves around the country.
The ratification of the Constitution by New Hampshire put it into effect. This was in accordance with Article VII, which stated that once nine states had ratified, it would become "sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same". The nine states that ratified the Constitution were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire.
Anti-Federalists' Reluctance to Ratify the Constitution
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The Constitution became the official framework of the US government
Article VII of the 1787 U. S. Constitution stated that once nine states had ratified, it would become “sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same”. At first, approval from New Hampshire seemed like a sure thing. Then, shockingly, it seemed that New Hampshire might be the first state to vote no. Delegates who gathered at the state convention in February 1788 met for only a week before suddenly adjourning—a decision that sent shock waves around the country and dismayed Federalists everywhere.
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Frequently asked questions
New Hampshire ratified the Constitution on 21 June 1788.
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, which meant that it became binding upon the nine states that had ratified it.
Article VII of the 1787 U.S. Constitution stated that once nine states had ratified, it would become sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution between the states so ratifying.
The journey to ratification was long and arduous. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which allowed states to act more like independent, sovereign countries. It became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
On 21 June 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America.
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