Eleanor Finch
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and arduous process. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America on 21 June 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The first printed copies of the Constitution were published in the Pennsylvania Packet newspaper by John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware |
| Date of first ratification | December 7, 1787 |
| Number of states to ratify | 9 of 13 |
| Date of first federal elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date of official implementation of the Constitution | March 4, 1789 |
| First President | George Washington |
| First Vice President | John Adams |
| Date of ratification of the Bill of Rights | December 15, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Federalist Papers
- Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution
- The Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire on 21 June 1788
- The first printed copies of the Constitution were published by John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole
- The first federal elections were held between 15 December 1788 and 10 January 1789
The Federalist Papers
The Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it, making it the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The first printed copies of the Constitution were published by commercial printers John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole in their Pennsylvania Packet newspaper.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. 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. However, it quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from 15 December 1788 to 10 January 1789, and the new government was set to begin on 4 March 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Perspective
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Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. 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.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers" that explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
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. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on 25 September 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791.
James Madison's Advocacy for Constitution Ratification
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The Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire on 21 June 1788
The US Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire on 21 June 1788, becoming the official framework of the government of the United States of America. New Hampshire was the ninth of 13 states to ratify the Constitution, following Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. 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.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation’s governing document. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced the 85 essays known as “The Federalist Papers” that explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from Monday, December 15, 1788, to Saturday, January 10, 1789, and the new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789. In the nation’s first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
The Constitution's Last Ratification: A Historical Review
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The first printed copies of the Constitution were published by John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole
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, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers" that explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
The Constitution: Ratification for a United Future
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The first federal elections were held between 15 December 1788 and 10 January 1789
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. 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. Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President, and John Adams was elected Vice President. Congress was restructured to reflect the system of representation created by the Connecticut Compromise at the Constitutional Convention. However, the Constitution was still evolving. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, born from the Massachusetts Compromise, and Congress adopted 12 of these on 25 September 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791.
The first printed copies of the US Constitution were published by commercial printers John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole in their Pennsylvania Packet newspaper. They also printed 500 copies for use by the Continental Congress. Today, only 13 of these first printed copies are known to exist, with ten available for public viewing at various locations across the US.
The US Constitution: Citizenship Granted and the Journey Ahead
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Frequently asked questions
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, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The first printed copies of the Constitution were published by commercial printers John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole in their Pennsylvania Packet newspaper.
Congress set dates for the first federal elections, which took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government began on March 4, 1789. George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
On December 15, 1791, ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified.
