Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was submitted for ratification on September 17, 1787, when it was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates. The document would not be binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, on December 7, 1787. The final state, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date the Constitution was submitted for ratification | 17 September 1787 |
| Date the Constitution was ratified | 29 May 1790 |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | 15 December 1791 |
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | 9 of 13 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date of first federal elections | 15 December 1788 |
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What You'll Learn
The ratification process began on September 17, 1787
The ratification process for the US Constitution began on September 17, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention concluded with the signing of the new US Constitution by 38 out of 41 delegates present. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would not be binding until its ratification 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. 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. The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire. 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 was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document, and the Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year, on December 15, 1791.
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The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787
The ratification process for the Constitution began on September 17, 1787, when the Frame of Government drafted by the convention's delegates to replace the Articles of Confederation was adopted and signed. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787. This was followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states, which meant it was officially established and took effect for those nine states. The ratification process was led by Hamilton and James Madison, who produced 85 essays known as 'The Federalist Papers' to explain and defend how the proposed new government would function. These essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
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. The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791
The road to ratification was a lengthy and complex process. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, it was not until 1790 that the Constitution was officially ratified by the required nine out of thirteen states, with Virginia becoming the tenth state to do so.
The Bill of Rights, comprising ten amendments, was introduced as a result of the Massachusetts Compromise. These amendments were designed to protect the fundamental rights and liberties of American citizens. The ratification of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791, ensured that these rights were enshrined in the Constitution, strengthening the foundation of the nation.
The ratification of the Constitution and the subsequent Bill of Rights marked a pivotal moment in the history of the United States. It established the framework for the nation's government and set the stage for the country's future development. The process of ratification, with its debates and compromises, also reflected the democratic ideals and principles that would come to define the United States.
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The final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790
The Constitution was ratified by all states on May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island became the final state to approve the document. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification process for the Constitution began on September 17, 1787, when the Frame of Government drafted by the convention's delegates to replace the Articles of Confederation was adopted and signed.
Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states. The Constitution was ratified by nine states, including Virginia, which became the tenth state to ratify the Constitution. However, Virginia requested that 20 alterations be made to the document.
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. The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire.
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The Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states
The United States Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states, as required by Article VII. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification process began on September 17, 1787, when the Frame of Government drafted by the convention's delegates to replace the Articles of Confederation was adopted and signed. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The ratification process was led by Hamilton and James Madison, who lobbied for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. They were assisted by John Jay, and together they produced 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers", which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
The Constitution was officially established and took effect for the nine states that had ratified it. However, it was not until several years later that the U.S. began to look and function as it does today. The Bill of Rights, which consisted of ten amendments, was ratified on December 15, 1791, and became part of the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The ratification process for the Constitution began on September 17, 1787.
The Constitution needed to be ratified by nine of the 13 existing states for it to be binding.
The Constitution was ratified by all states on May 29, 1790.
