Malcolm Rivera
The ratification of the US Constitution was a critical step in the nation's history, replacing the Articles of Confederation, which had been the nation's first constitution. The Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates on September 17, 1787, but it required ratification by nine of the 13 existing states to become binding, as outlined in Article VII. This process of ratification by specially elected conventions, rather than a unanimous vote of all state legislatures, was a politically astute move to ensure the Constitution's adoption. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, and New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. The Constitution promised a stronger central government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. George Washington, who would become the nation's first president, actively supported and facilitated the ratification process, despite opposition from older revolutionaries. The Constitution's ratification led to the first federal elections and the official implementation of the new government on March 4, 1789.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing of the U.S. Constitution | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed the U.S. Constitution | 38 out of 41 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date of Delaware's ratification | December 7, 1787 |
| Other states that ratified the Constitution | Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire |
| Date of New Hampshire's ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Date of the first federal elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date of the official implementation of the Constitution | March 4, 1789 |
| First President of the United States | George Washington |
| First Vice President of the United States | John Adams |
| Date of the first Congress | March 4, 1789 |
| Location of the first Congress | New York City |
| Article outlining the process for amending the Constitution | Article V |
| Number of states required to ratify an amendment | 38 out of 50 |
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What You'll Learn
Ratification of the US Constitution in 1787
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787, three months after the Constitutional Convention concluded on September 17, 1787, with the signing of the new U.S. Constitution by 38 or 39 out of 41 delegates present. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation were ratified by the 13 colonies on March 1, 1781, and established a weak central government with limited powers.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 aimed to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and to create a stronger, more centralized government. The convention was led by Alexander Hamilton, who called for a reevaluation of the nation's governing document. Representatives from all 13 states participated in the convention. The delegates agreed to protect the slave trade for 20 years and further entrenched slavery by allowing states to count three-fifths of their slave population for representation in the federal government.
Under Article VII of the proposed Constitution, it was agreed that the document would only come into force once it was ratified by nine of the 13 states, or two-thirds of the states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, some states opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not adequately protect certain rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
The process of ratification involved each state holding a Federal Convention or a specially elected convention, where the proposed Constitution was debated and voted on. This process was outlined in Article VII of the Constitution and allowed for the establishment of a new form of government without requiring the unanimous approval of all 13 states, as would have been necessary under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution came into effect in 1789, and the first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. George Washington was elected as the first President, and John Adams became the Vice President.
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The Articles of Confederation
Virginia was the first state to ratify the Articles, doing so on December 16, 1777. By February 1779, 12 states had ratified the Articles, with Maryland the lone holdout. Maryland finally ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, and Congress was informed of its assent on March 1, officially proclaiming the Articles of Confederation to be the law of the land.
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The Federalist Papers
Article V of the United States Constitution establishes two methods for proposing amendments. The first method requires both the House and the Senate to propose a constitutional amendment by a two-thirds vote of the Members present. The second method allows Congress to call a convention for proposing amendments upon the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. This second method has been the subject of extensive scholarly debate but has never been used.
The process of ratifying amendments to the Constitution is outlined in Article V. Congress determines the mode of ratification, which can be through state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. State legislatures have ratified 26 of the 27 amendments that have become part of the Constitution. The convention method of ratification has only been chosen once.
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The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would only be binding once ratified by nine of the 13 existing states.
The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution. The Articles gave little power to the central government, and it quickly became clear that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. The Constitution promised this stronger government, which included a Congress with the power to tax.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, some states voiced opposition to the Constitution, arguing that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
This led to the Massachusetts Compromise in February 1788, which stipulated that amendments—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, becoming the ninth state to ratify.
The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, which grants Congress the power to propose amendments with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Once an amendment is proposed, the Archivist of the United States administers the ratification process. An amendment becomes part of the Constitution once it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50).
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The role of George Washington
The United States Constitution, which superseded the Articles of Confederation, was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states, as agreed under Article VII. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
George Washington played a crucial role in the ratification of the Constitution. He was a nationalist who believed in the need for a strong national government. He attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he was elected president of the Convention. Washington rarely spoke during the debates, but his commanding presence and support for the Constitution were influential. He signed the Constitution and wrote a letter on September 17, 1787, stating that it was the "result of a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable." This letter was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed.
Washington's support for the Constitution was used by Federalists to encourage others to accept it. While he did not make many public statements, his private letters revealed his endorsement. In one such letter to Charles Carter, he wrote, "it is the best constitution that can be obtained...and...this, or a dissolution of the union awaits our choice." Washington's role as the first president of the United States, elected in 1789, further solidified his influence on the ratification process.
Washington's leadership and guidance during the Constitutional Convention were instrumental in achieving consensus among the delegates. He worked to keep the proceedings confidential as they embarked on the controversial task of revising the Articles of Confederation. His presence and influence carried significant weight, as noted by James Monroe in a letter to Thomas Jefferson. Washington's role in the ratification of the Constitution and his subsequent presidency helped transform the ideals of the American Revolution into reality.
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Frequently asked questions
Ratification is the process of approving and implementing a new law or constitution.
Nine of the 13 existing states were required to ratify the US Constitution.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The US Constitution was ratified on March 4, 1789.
