Eleanor Finch
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution took place in 1787-88, with the required nine out of thirteen states ratifying the document by June 21, 1788. The process began in May 1787, when delegates from 13 states convened in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country since its independence. However, the delegates soon decided to create a new form of government with a stronger central government and three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, and sent to the states for ratification. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by eight others, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia. The ratification process was contentious, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists debating the merits of the proposed government. The Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Location of the convention | Philadelphia |
| Date of the convention | May 25, 1787 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| States that ratified the Constitution | Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire |
| Supporters of ratification | Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, George Washington |
| Opponents of ratification | George Mason, Anti-Federalists |
| Reason for ratification | Need for a stronger central government, instability under the Articles of Confederation |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitutional Convention of 1787
The Convention was presided over by George Washington, who had been unanimously elected as its president. Washington played a crucial role in guiding the delegates toward a stronger national government, even though he rarely participated in the debates directly. The delegates, representing a wide range of interests and views, engaged in spirited discussions and compromises to shape the new government. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation, with delegates ultimately agreeing to a compromise that gave each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. They also agreed to count enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person, and temporarily resolved the contentious issue of slavery by allowing the slave trade to continue until 1808.
The Convention concluded on September 17, 1787, with 38 out of 41 delegates signing the new U.S. Constitution (one delegate, John Dickinson of Delaware, was absent, but George Reed signed on his behalf, bringing the total signatures to 39 out of 55 delegates). The delegates set the terms for ratifying the Constitution, bypassing the state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. It was agreed that the new government would come into effect once nine of the 13 states ratified the document.
The Federalists, led by figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, strongly advocated for the ratification of the Constitution. They believed in the need for a stronger central government and worked to address people's fears about federal power. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay collaborated on "The Federalist Papers", a series of 85 essays published in newspapers nationwide, to promote and defend the proposed new government. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by several other states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, thus enacting the new government. This date marked the Constitution becoming the official framework of the government of the United States. While this was a significant milestone, it is important to note that the process of achieving full ratification by all 13 states took longer, with Rhode Island being the final state to approve the document on May 29, 1790.
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The Federalist Papers
At the time, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which had been tailored to a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. As a result, Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The Federalist Papers were written to explain and defend the proposed new government under the Constitution, addressing people's fears about a federal government.
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 government of the United States. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
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The role of George Washington
The Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1788, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and final state needed to ratify the document on June 21. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process, with the country being governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified.
George Washington played a significant role in the ratification of the Constitution. As a nationalist, he believed in the need for a strong national government and agreed to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he was unanimously elected president. Washington rarely participated in the debates, but his commanding presence and leadership were crucial in achieving consensus among the delegates. He ensured that delegates remained open to compromise and worked towards the formation of a stronger national government.
Washington's support for the Constitution was well-known, and he actively promoted its ratification. He corresponded with various individuals, expressing his desire to see the Constitution adopted. In his letters, he acknowledged the imperfections of the document but praised the amendment provision that allowed for future corrections. He also addressed people's fears about a federal government, arguing for the need for a stronger central government. Washington's influence was such that Federalists urged others to accept the Constitution because of his support.
Washington's role in the ratification process continued as the Constitution went to the states for approval. He facilitated the ratification process in various states, including Virginia, which approved the Constitution on June 25, 1788. Washington's influence was so significant that many agreed with James Monroe's statement that "Washington's influence carried this government."
Washington's support for the Constitution and his role as president of the Constitutional Convention were instrumental in transforming the ideals of the Revolution into reality and shaping the future of the United States.
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The Anti-Federalists
The ratification battle was a debate over political power—a battle over federalism and how much power to give to the national government versus how much power to keep with the states. While the Federalists argued for a stronger national government, the Anti-Federalists defended a vision of America rooted in powerful states. The Anti-Federalists did not have a plan for a new Constitution, which made it easy for the Federalists to frame the ratification fight as a battle between a new Constitution and the deeply flawed Articles of Confederation. The Federalists also co-opted the name "Federalists", depriving their opponents of the ability to clearly signal what they stood for.
The debates over the ratification of the Constitution took place in towns and villages across the country in 1787 and 1788. Both Federalists and Anti-Federalists held meetings and marches that sometimes became violent. In July 1788, a group of Anti-Federalists in Albany, New York, stopped a march of Federalists, and a violent clash ensued. Despite their efforts, New York became the eleventh state to ratify the Constitution on July 26, 1788.
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The ratification process in individual states
The ratification process for the US Constitution began in December 1787 when Delaware became the first state to ratify the document. This was followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. By January 1788, five state conventions had voted to approve the Constitution, with three of these votes being unanimous.
The process in Pennsylvania, the only large early ratifier, was marred by corruption. Antifederalists in the state assembly attempted to block the vote by refusing to attend the last two days of the session, denying the presence of enough members to make a binding legal decision. However, they were forcibly brought to the Pennsylvania State House, enabling the convention to be called and the vote to take place.
The Federalists, who supported the ratification, were well-organized and rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law. However, the contest was closer than it appeared. Four of the first five states to ratify were small states that stood to benefit from a stronger national government that could curb the power of their larger neighbours.
The ratification convention in Richmond, Virginia, began in May 1788, with eight states having already approved the Constitution. On June 25, 1788, Virginia approved the Constitution by a margin of 89 to 79. George Washington, who had actively promoted the ratification process across the states, celebrated the news, believing that Virginia was the ninth state to approve. However, it was later clarified that New Hampshire had approved the Constitution just before Virginia, becoming the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788.
The legitimacy of the new national system was not fully resolved, as powerful and populous states like New York and Virginia had yet to vote. New York finally ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788, and all states had approved it by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island gave its approval. The Bill of Rights was ratified at the end of the following year.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was ratified by the states. The process of ratification was a long and arduous one, with the Constitution being sent to the states for debate and ratification votes.
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia in May 1787. Delegates from 13 states met to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately decided to create a new form of government.
The Constitution required ratification by nine of the 13 states to be enacted.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
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