Eleanor Finch
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, which then became the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The journey to ratification was not straightforward, with New Hampshire initially appearing likely to vote no. The state's ratification was significant as it put the Constitution into effect, and it was followed by the setting of dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of New Hampshire's approval of the Constitution | June 21, 1788 |
| New Hampshire's position in approving the Constitution | Ninth state to ratify the Constitution |
| Effect of New Hampshire's approval | The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the U.S. |
| Number of states that had to approve the Constitution | Nine out of 13 states |
| Previous governing document | Articles of Confederation |
| States that approved the Constitution before New Hampshire | Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina |
| Date of the first federal elections | Monday, December 15, 1788 |
| Date the new government was set to begin | March 4, 1789 |
| First President and Vice President of the U.S. | George Washington and John Adams |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the US Constitution
New Hampshire's ratification of the US Constitution was a significant event in the nation's history. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution, marking a pivotal moment in the establishment of the United States government. This ratification had far-reaching consequences and set in motion a series of events that shaped the country's future.
The journey towards New Hampshire's ratification was not without its challenges and complexities. The state's political landscape was deeply rooted in traditions and varied across different regions. While those closest to the coast in the Portsmouth area tended to be strongly Federalist, the central and backcountry parts often leaned Anti-Federalist. The Anti-Federalists, for instance, were accustomed to annual elections for state legislators and opposed the longer terms proposed in the Constitution. They also took issue with the powers granted to Congress, believing they diminished the authority of state governments.
Despite these differences, the Federalists in New Hampshire held significant influence. Merchants, clergy, and newspaper editors tended to support ratification and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion. The initial optimism among Federalists, as expressed by Langdon in a letter to George Washington, faced a setback when the state convention in February 1788 unexpectedly adjourned, sending shockwaves across the country. However, when the convention reconvened in mid-June, New Hampshire ultimately provided the decisive ninth vote.
The impact of New Hampshire's ratification went beyond the state's borders. According to Article VII of the 1787 Constitution, the document would become binding once nine states had ratified it. With New Hampshire's approval, the Constitution officially came into effect, and the framework for the new government was established. This marked a shift from the previous governance under the Articles of Confederation, which had granted significant autonomy to individual states.
The ratification also set in motion the process for the first federal elections, which were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. The new government commenced on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as the first President and John Adams as Vice President. While New Hampshire's ratification was a pivotal moment, it took until May 29, 1790, for all states to ratify the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was not ratified until the end of the following year.
Practices of Parties: Shaping the Constitution
You may want to see also
The Constitution became binding on ratifying states
The United States Constitution was approved by a majority of delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, marking the culmination of months of labour. However, before it could become the law of the land, it had to withstand public scrutiny and debate. The document was presented to the United States in Congress Assembled on September 20, and Congress debated whether to censure the delegates for exceeding their authority by creating a new form of government rather than simply revising the Articles of Confederation. Ultimately, the matter was dropped, and Congress directed the state legislatures to call for ratification conventions in each state.
Article VII of the Constitution stipulated that nine states had to ratify it for it to take effect. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification process, however, was not without opposition. Some states objected to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not adequately protect certain rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Massachusetts Compromise, reached in February 1788, addressed these concerns by proposing amendments that would become the Bill of Rights.
New Hampshire played a pivotal role in the ratification process. On June 21, 1788, it became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, putting it into effect. The journey to New Hampshire's ratification was not straightforward. Initially, approval seemed likely, but the state convention adjourned suddenly in February 1788, sparking uncertainty. When the convention reassembled in mid-June, the outcome was far from certain. Ultimately, New Hampshire's ratification tipped the scales, and the Constitution became binding on the ratifying states.
Following New Hampshire's ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. The elections took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government commenced on March 4, 1789. It is important to note that the Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island gave its approval, and the Bill of Rights was ratified at the end of the following year.
Economic Issues the Constitution Addressed
You may want to see also
The US Constitution was ratified by all states by 1790
The US Constitution was a long and arduous process that was ratified by all 13 states by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution was then sent to the states for debate and ratification votes.
The journey to ratification was challenging due to differing political traditions and ideologies across the states. Town governments, which were closest to the citizenry, often carried significant influence. In New Hampshire, for instance, towns sent instructions with their representatives, directing them on how to vote. The state's guiding political principle was a deep-rooted jealousy of popular liberties, with any measure or constitution that seemed to threaten that sense of freedom consistently facing opposition. As a result, New Hampshire's ratification was uncertain, and it was only on June 21, 1788, that it became the ninth state to ratify, putting the Constitution into effect.
The Constitution faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, who were concerned about the expansion of congressional powers and the creation of a federal judicial branch. They also objected to the longer terms for representatives and senators, deviating from annual elections. The protection of slavery in the Constitution, including the three-fifths compromise and the requirement to return escaped slaves to their owners, was another contentious issue.
The ratification process itself was a significant departure from the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of all states. In contrast, the Constitution only needed ratification by nine of the 13 states, or a two-thirds majority, to become binding. This process set a precedent for a stronger, more centralized government, with Alexander Hamilton leading the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The Bill of Rights, which addressed concerns about freedom of speech, religion, and press, was ratified at the end of 1791, and the location of the capital was set along the Potomac River on July 16, 1790. The US Constitution laid the foundation for the country's governance, and the first presidential election under this framework was held in 1788, with George Washington elected as President and John Adams as Vice President.
The Texas Constitution: A Lengthy Document
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Constitution of New Hampshire as Amended by the Constitutional Convention Held at Concord on the First Wednesday of January, A. D. 1889. [Manchester-1889]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519Rx-9r7rL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it. Article VII of the 1787 U.S. Constitution stated that the approval of nine states was sufficient for the Constitution to come into effect.
The Constitution was drafted in 1787 by delegates from 12 states in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The delegates intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately, a new form of government was proposed. The new Constitution aimed to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which allowed states to act more like independent, sovereign countries.
However, the Constitution faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, who believed it threatened popular liberties and granted too much power to the central government. Several state conventions requested amendments to the Constitution to protect individual liberties. These amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were proposed by the First Congress in 1789 and ratified in 1791.
The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. They define citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government, including freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms. The amendments also ensure protections such as due process and trial by jury. The Bill of Rights was strongly influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, as well as English documents such as the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights.
The Elastic Clause: Understanding its Addition to the Constitution
You may want to see also
The US Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation
The US Constitution, which came into effect in 1789, replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had been in force since 1781. The Articles of Confederation served as the United States' first constitution, establishing a "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retained "every Power...which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States".
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and ratified by Maryland on March 1, 1781, bringing the Congress of the Confederation into being. However, the Articles' weaknesses became apparent in the years following the Revolutionary War. The central government had limited power, unable to regulate commerce, tax, or set commercial policy. It also lacked the power to settle disputes between states and support the war effort.
The Confederation Congress endorsed the call for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation, and in May 1787, delegates from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia. The convention's delegates held closed-door sessions and ultimately wrote a new constitution, creating a new form of government with much more power given to the central government. The new constitution aimed to address the difficulties of interstate relationships and move towards a republic as defined by Enlightenment philosophers.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and it was agreed that it would come into effect once nine of the 13 states ratified it. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, making it the official framework of the US government.
The Constitution's Missing Pieces: Founders' Exclusions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, which meant that in accordance with Article VII, it became binding upon the nine states that had ratified it.
Congress set dates for the first federal elections, which took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. The new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President.
The New Hampshire convention opened in Exeter on February 13, 1788 and began a section-by-section discussion of the Constitution. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire ratified the Constitution, making it the official framework of the US government.
Four issues provoked extensive debate. Anti-Federalists opposed the longer terms for representatives and senators, the Article I powers given to Congress, the creation of a federal judicial branch, and Article VI which prohibited religious tests for public office.
