Malcolm Rivera
The ratification of the US Constitution in 1789 marked a significant shift in the country's governance. Prior to this, the Articles of Confederation had governed the newly formed nation, with states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. The Constitution's ratification established a stronger, more centralised government, with George Washington elected as the first President and John Adams as Vice President. However, it would take several years for the US to begin functioning as it does today, with the Bill of Rights not fully ratified until 1791.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21 June 1788 |
| First President | George Washington |
| First Vice President | John Adams |
| Date of first federal elections | 15 December 1788 |
| Date of official implementation of the Constitution | 4 March 1789 |
| Date of first 17 amendments | 25 September 1789 |
| Date of ratification of the Bill of Rights | 15 December 1791 |
| Date of ratification by all states | 29 May 1790 |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington was elected President
After the ratification of the Constitution in 1789, the first federal elections were held to elect a new government. George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
The Constitution was ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina and, finally, New Hampshire, which became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it on 21 June 1788. The Constitution then became the official framework of the government of the United States of America.
The first presidential election was held from Monday, 15 December 1788, to Saturday, 10 January 1789, and the new government was set to begin on 4 March 1789.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was ratified on 15 December 1791.
Rhode Island's Ratification: A Constitutional Turning Point
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The first federal elections were held
The first presidential election saw George Washington elected as President and John Adams as Vice President. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document. The Bill of Rights was ratified on 15 December 1791. The US did not begin to function as it does today until several years after the ratification of the Constitution.
Federalists' Urge: Why Ratification Was Essential for Federalists
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The US didn't function as it does today until several years later
The US didn't function as it does today until several years after the Constitution was ratified. The Constitution became the official framework of the US government on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. However, the US didn't begin to look and function as it does today until several years later. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year, on 15 December 1791.
The machinery of state had been designed but not yet tested and put to use. The provisions for the management of foreign affairs were put to the test in 1794, when the Senate had the opportunity to accept or reject the controversial treaty with Great Britain negotiated by John Jay.
In the first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
Federalists' Constitution Ratification: A Viewpoint Explored
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The Constitution was ratified by all states in 1790
The US Constitution was ratified by all states in 1790, but the country was not governed by it until 1789. Until then, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which was a document tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries.
The Constitution was ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire, on June 21, 1788. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from Monday, December 15, 1788, to Saturday, January 10, 1789, and the new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789. In the nation’s first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
The Constitution was still evolving, and 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.
The US did not begin to look and function as it does today until several years after the Constitution was ratified.
Compromise for Unity: Constitution Ratification
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The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
The US Constitution was ratified in 1789, with the Bill of Rights being ratified in 1791. The Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the Constitution was ratified.
The Bill of Rights was ratified on 15 December 1791, and it defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, which were adopted as a single unit. The amendments were designed to prevent tyranny by the central government, which had been a concern during the debates on the adoption of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was derived from the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), the colonial struggle against king and Parliament, and a gradually broadening concept of equality among the American people.
Federalists' Push: Ratifying the Constitution
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington.
John Adams.
George Washington.
June 21, 1788.
