Isabella Carter
The Constitution of the United States of America was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware, 7 December 1787 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 of 13 |
| Date all 13 states ratified | 29 May 1790 |
| Date of Bill of Rights ratification | 15 December 1791 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787
- The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States on June 21, 1788
- The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791
- The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790
- The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787
The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it on June 21, 1788. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America’s leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. New York’s Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation’s governing document.
The Founding Fathers' Constitution Ratification Strategies
You may want to see also
The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States on June 21, 1788
The Constitution was still evolving after ratification. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. New York's Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
Social Contract Ratification: Constitution's Birth
You may want to see also
The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791
The journey to ratification was not without its challenges. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide adequate protection for certain rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. To address these concerns, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments—what became known as the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed.
Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were eventually ratified on December 15, 1791. It is important to note that even after the Constitution's ratification, the United States did not begin to function as it does today until several years later. The Constitution was not ratified by all 13 states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island gave its approval, and the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution at the end of that year.
The First Colony to Ratify the Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790
The first draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the Constitutional Convention's 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. It was then sent to the states for debate and ratification votes. The required nine of 13 states had ratified the Constitution by June 21, 1788, making it the official framework for the government of the United States of America.
However, it took almost two more years for all 13 states to ratify the Constitution. In the meantime, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government began on March 4, 1789. George Washington was elected as the first president, with John Adams as vice president.
Representation and Ratification: The Constitution's Dilemma
You may want to see also
The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789
The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The Constitution was still evolving at this point, and Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution born from the Massachusetts Compromise. Congress adopted 12 of these amendments on September 25, 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
John Adams' Stance on Ratifying the Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
Nine of the 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
All 13 states ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
