Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. However, it was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the Constitution. Rhode Island was the last of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution, and requested that twenty-one alterations be made to the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Last state to ratify the Constitution | Rhode Island |
| Date of ratification | 29 May 1790 |
| Number of states to ratify the Constitution | 13 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, and the Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year. The Constitution was evolving, and Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted twelve on September 25, 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, making the adoption of the Constitution official.
Representation and Ratification: The Constitution's Dilemma
You may want to see also
The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution, however, was still evolving. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution born from the Massachusetts Compromise, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Even after the Constitution's ratification, the U.S. did not begin to look and function remotely like it does today until several years later. 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.
Why the 1868 Constitution Was Ratified: Exploring the Reasons
You may want to see also
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution
The Articles of Confederation were tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. New York's Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. Rhode Island was the last of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution. In addition to ratifying the constitution, Rhode Island requested that twenty-one alterations be made to it.
Constitutional Ratification: Florida's Percent Rule Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790
Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution born from the Massachusetts Compromise, of which Congress adopted twelve on September 25, 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The US Constitution: Ratification and Its Legacy
You may want to see also
The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791
The journey to ratifying the Constitution was a significant one, reflecting the evolving nature of the nation's governance. The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country since its early days as a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became evident to America's leaders that a stronger, more centralised government was necessary for future stability. This led to Alexander Hamilton of New York calling for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The process of ratification continued over the next few years, with New Hampshire's approval making it official in 1788. The Bill of Rights, proposed by Madison as part of the Massachusetts Compromise, was adopted by Congress on September 25, 1789, and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of the twelve amendments proposed were ratified on December 15, 1791, becoming an integral part of the Constitution and shaping the country's future.
The Long Road to Ratifying the Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Rhode Island was the last of the 13 states to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
There were 13 states at the time of ratification.
The vote in Rhode Island was 34-32 in favour of ratifying the Constitution.
The final vote to ratify the Constitution took place on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
