Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution is a significant document in the history of American governance, outlining the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the federal government. The process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution was a lengthy and complex one, spanning several years and involving multiple milestones. The timeline of events leading up to the Constitution's implementation began with the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where delegates met to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and establish a new framework for the nation. This was followed by the drafting and signing of the Constitution, which was then sent to the states for ratification. The timeline continues with key events such as the election of George Washington as the first President and the addition of the Bill of Rights to address concerns over individual liberties and rights. However, the completion of this timeline is marked by the Constitution going into effect, which occurred when enough states ratified it, solidifying its position as the supreme law of the land.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the Constitutional Convention | 25th May 1787 |
| Location of the Constitutional Convention | Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia |
| Date the Constitution was drafted | 17th September 1787 |
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date of first ratification | 7th December 1787 |
| Date the Constitution went into effect | 4th March 1789 |
| Date of the first election under the Constitution | 15th December 1788 |
| First President of the United States | George Washington |
| Date the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution | 15th December 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
Ratification by nine states
The United States Constitution, created to replace the failing Articles of Confederation, required ratification by at least nine states to become effective and go into effect as the supreme law of the land. The Articles of Confederation had gone into effect on March 1, 1781, but by 1787, it became clear that this structure of government was not viable in the long term. The Articles had several weaknesses, including each state having only one vote in Congress, and the national government lacking the power to tax and regulate foreign or interstate trade.
The Constitutional Convention, which met for the first time on May 25, 1787, in Philadelphia, addressed these issues and resulted in the drafting of the Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787. The ratification process began shortly after, with Delaware being the first state to ratify 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 adequately protect individual rights and freedoms.
The ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution was New Hampshire, which did so on June 21, 1788. This marked a significant step towards the implementation of the Constitution and the establishment of a new federal government. The Continental Congress decided on September 13, 1788, to put the Constitution into effect by March 4, 1789, when the new Congress would convene. This decision was made following New Hampshire's ratification, indicating that the Constitution would become the law of the land once enough states had ratified it.
The ratification by nine states was indeed a crucial event in the timeline of the Constitution's implementation, as it represented the culmination of a process that began with the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It is important to note that the Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the final state, ratified it.
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Delaware, Georgia, and New Jersey ratify
The United States Constitution was ratified by Delaware, Georgia, and New Jersey, along with six other states, between 1787 and 1790. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, doing so on December 7, 1787, less than three months after the Constitutional Convention concluded in Philadelphia. Georgia followed on January 2, 1788, and New Jersey on December 18, 1787.
The ratification process began shortly after the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The Convention aimed to address the issues faced under the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective for governing the new nation. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and nine states were required to ratify it for it to become effective.
The process of ratification was a long and arduous one, as each state had to meet and vote on the proposed Constitution. Delaware, Georgia, and New Jersey were among the first states to ratify the Constitution, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and final state needed to do so on June 21, 1788. This officially ended government under the Articles of Confederation. However, it was not until May 29, 1790, that the last state, Rhode Island, finally ratified the Constitution, marking the completion of the timeline for its implementation.
The adoption of the Bill of Rights, which occurred after the ratification process, was also a crucial event in the timeline of the Constitution's implementation. It solidified the commitment to protecting individual freedoms and rights within the newly formed United States, ensuring that the Constitution included provisions for personal liberties, judicial rights, and limits on the government's power.
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Virginia and New York ratify
The Constitution of the United States was drafted at the Philadelphia Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The drafting of the Constitution was followed by a ratification process, which required at least nine out of the thirteen states to ratify the document for it to become effective. This process began with Delaware's ratification on December 7, 1787, and ended with Rhode Island's ratification on May 29, 1790.
Virginia and New York were the tenth and eleventh states to ratify the Constitution, respectively. Virginia's ratification took place in two steps: the declaration of ratification and the recommendation of a bill of rights, along with a list of amendments, in accordance with Article 5. The Virginia Ratifying Convention, consisting of 168 delegates, met from June 2 to June 27, 1788, in Richmond, and passed the final vote on George Wythe's motion to ratify by a margin of 89 to 79. The convention was open to the public, and the press covered the proceedings extensively. Despite the majority of Virginians being reportedly against the adoption of the Constitution, the Federalists, led by judges and former Continental Army officers, prevailed over the Anti-Federalists, who were led by Patrick Henry.
A month after Virginia's ratification, on July 26, 1788, New York ratified the Constitution, marking the assent of the eleventh state. New York's ratification message included a declaration of rights and numerous suggested changes to the Constitution. The ratification of the Constitution by Virginia and New York was seen as essential to its success, and with their ratification, the new government began operating with eleven states on March 4, 1789.
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George Washington elected first president
The Constitution of the United States went into effect in 1789, marking the culmination of a process that began with the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and aimed to address the issues faced under the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective for governing the new nation. The drafting of the Constitution began on May 25, 1787, and ended on September 17, 1787. The ratification process for the Constitution began shortly after the Convention, with Delaware being the first state to ratify it on December 7, 1787. By 1790, nine states had ratified the Constitution, leading to its implementation.
George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States in 1789, following the Constitutional Convention. Washington was a retired general who had led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. He had also helped set up the new government at the Constitutional Convention. Despite expressing a desire to retire and live a quiet life at his Mount Vernon estate, Washington was unanimously elected president with 69 electoral votes, receiving support from each participating state.
Washington's inauguration as the first president took place on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City, then the nation's capital. He took the presidential oath of office with his hand on the Bible, borrowed from a local Masonic lodge. Washington's inaugural address expressed his reluctance to accept the presidency and his awareness of the great responsibility of defining the American presidency. He believed that the precedents he set must make the presidency powerful yet ensure that practices did not show any tendency toward monarchy or dictatorship.
Washington's election and inauguration as the first president of the United States under the new Constitution represented a significant moment in the nation's history and marked the beginning of a new era of governance. He helped shape the office's future role and powers and set formal and informal precedents for future presidents.
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Constitution becomes supreme law
The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It is the source of all government powers and provides limitations on the government to protect the fundamental rights of United States citizens.
The Constitution was drafted by the Constitutional Convention, which met for the first time at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. The drafting of the Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787, and the ratification process began shortly after, with Delaware becoming the first state to ratify it on December 7, 1787.
The Constitution required ratification by at least nine out of the thirteen states to become effective. New Hampshire's ratification brought the total number of states that had ratified the Constitution to nine, and on September 13, 1788, the Continental Congress decided to put the Constitution into effect by March 4, 1789. This marked the final step in a long process that began at the Constitutional Convention, making the Constitution the law of the land.
The adoption of the Bill of Rights, which occurred after the ratification process, was also crucial for securing the ratification of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights solidified the commitment to protecting individual freedoms and rights within the newly formed United States. It ensured that the Constitution included provisions for personal liberties, judicial rights, and limits on the government's power.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was adopted and went into effect after being ratified by nine states.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The delegates at the convention drafted the Constitution, which was then sent to the states for ratification.
Two-thirds of the states, or nine out of thirteen states, needed to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787. Other states that followed soon after included Georgia and New Jersey, and New Hampshire.
The Constitution going into effect marked a new era of governance in the United States. It established a new federal government under the Constitution and solidified the commitment to protecting individual freedoms and rights.
