Eleanor Finch
The ratification of the US Constitution was a state-by-state process. Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788) and in all of them, the vote was unanimous (Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia) or lopsided (Pennsylvania, Connecticut). The Federalists rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law. The Constitution seemed to have easy, broad, and popular support. However, a closer look at who ratified the Constitution in these early states and how it was done indicates that the contest was much closer than might appear at first glance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | December 1787 to January 1788 |
| Number of states that voted to ratify | Five |
| States that voted to ratify | Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut |
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What You'll Learn
The first five states to ratify the Constitution
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788) and in all of them, the vote was unanimous or lopsided. The well-organized Federalists began the contest in strong shape as they rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law. The Constitution seemed to have easy, broad, and popular support.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on 7 December 1787. Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution on 12 December 1787, with a vote of 46 for and 23 against. New Jersey was the third state to ratify the Constitution on 18 December 1787, with a unanimous vote of 38 for and 0 against. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the Constitution on 2 January 1788. Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify the Constitution on 9 January 1788, with a vote of 128 for and 40 against.
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The role of John Hancock in the Massachusetts vote
John Hancock played a crucial role in the ratification of the Constitution in Massachusetts. Initially, Hancock was opposed to the Constitution, but he shifted his position and became a key figure in the state's ratification process.
Hancock's change of heart was significant as it helped carry the narrow victory in Massachusetts. The vote was close, with 187 votes for ratification and 168 against. Hancock's support for the Constitution was influenced by the promise of amendments protecting individual rights, which would be considered by the first new Congress if the Constitution became law.
This compromise, known as the Massachusetts compromise, was a significant turning point in the ratification process. It set a precedent for subsequent state conventions, with all states that ratified the Constitution adopting the compromise (except Maryland). Hancock's leadership and influence in Massachusetts were instrumental in securing this outcome.
The ratification of the Constitution in Massachusetts was a critical step towards establishing the legitimacy of the new national system. With powerful and populous states like Virginia and New York yet to vote, the support of Massachusetts helped build momentum for the Constitution's eventual adoption. Hancock's role in this process was, therefore, a significant contribution to the formation of the United States' governing framework.
In conclusion, John Hancock's role in the Massachusetts vote was pivotal. His initial opposition and subsequent support for the Constitution, influenced by the promise of protecting individual rights, carried the narrow victory in the state. This set a precedent for other states and contributed to the legitimacy and momentum of the ratification process, ultimately leading to the establishment of the United States Constitution as the nation's supreme law.
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The close contest between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The ratification of the Constitution was a close contest between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists were well-organised and rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law. However, a closer look at the early states that ratified the Constitution indicates that the contest was much closer than it first appeared.
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788), and in all of them, the vote was either unanimous (Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia) or lopsided (Pennsylvania, Connecticut). However, the vote in Massachusetts was much closer, with 187 for and 168 against. Rhode Island initially rejected the Constitution in a popular referendum, with 237 for and 2708 against.
The compromise that helped carry the narrow victory in Massachusetts was adopted by every subsequent state convention to ratify (except Maryland). By the spring conventions, the required nine states had ratified the Constitution, but with powerful and populous Virginia and New York yet to vote, the legitimacy of the new national system was still in question.
North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last states to ratify the Constitution, in November 1789 and May 1790, respectively.
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The nine states needed to make the Constitution law
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788) and in all of them the vote was unanimous (Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia) or lopsided (Pennsylvania, Connecticut).
The Massachusetts vote was particularly significant as it included an innovation with broad significance. John Hancock, who had initially opposed the Constitution, led the move toward ratification. Satisfied that certain amendments protecting individual rights would be considered by the first new Congress, Hancock's compromise helped carry the narrow victory in Massachusetts and was adopted by every subsequent state convention to ratify (except Maryland).
By the spring conventions in the required nine states had ratified, and the Constitution could become law. However, with powerful, populous, and highly divided Virginia and New York yet to vote, the legitimacy of the new national system had not yet been fully resolved.
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The legitimacy of the new national system
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788) and in all of them the vote was unanimous (Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia) or lopsided (Pennsylvania, Connecticut). The well-organised Federalists rapidly secured five of the nine states needed to make the Constitution law.
However, a closer look at who ratified the Constitution in these early states and how it was done indicates that the contest was much closer than might appear at first glance. For example, the Massachusetts vote included an innovation with broad significance. John Hancock, who had initially opposed the Constitution, led the move toward ratification, satisfied that certain amendments protecting individual rights would be considered by the first new Congress that would meet should the Constitution become law. This compromise helped carry the narrow victory in Massachusetts and was adopted by every subsequent state convention to ratify (except Maryland).
By the spring conventions in the required nine states had ratified, and the Constitution could become law. However, the powerful, populous, and highly divided Virginia and New York had yet to vote, and so the legitimacy of the new national system was not fully resolved.
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Frequently asked questions
Five state conventions voted to approve the Constitution almost immediately (December 1787 to January 1788): Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last states to ratify the Constitution in 1789 and 1790, respectively.
The closest vote was in Massachusetts, where the Constitution was ratified by a vote of 187 for and 168 against.
