Omar Bennett
The Constitution was ratified on May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document, almost three years after the process began. The Bill of Rights was ratified the following year, and the capital was set on July 16, 1790. The ratification process was a complex one, with representatives from all 13 states invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to participate in the Convention. The initial purpose of the Convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | May 29, 1790 |
| Date of Bill of Rights ratification | End of 1791 |
| Date of capital location | July 16, 1790 |
| Date of land designated for construction | January 24, 1791 |
| Date of elections | December 15, 1788 - January 10, 1789 |
| Date of new government | March 4, 1789 |
| Date of amendments sent to states for ratification | September 25, 1789 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Articles of Confederation
The United States Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified until the end of the following year.
Before the 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 soon became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to re-evaluate the nation's governing document. The Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the ultimate outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government.
The Constitution was put before the states for their ratification, and the first presidential election took place from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President. The new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789.
Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. The timeline of the drafting and ratification of the Constitution covers a period of 5 years and 9 months, from March 25, 1785, to January 10, 1791.
The US Constitution: Ratification and Its Legacy
You may want to see also
The Funding Act
It took three years to ratify the constitution because the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
The Bill of Rights: A Constitution's Essential Companion
You may want to see also
The Residence Act
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 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. The capital was not set until July 16, 1790, almost a year and a half after the general elections took place.
The Constitution was ratified by all states, but the process took time due to the need for negotiation and compromise. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which allowed states to act more like independent, sovereign countries. It became clear that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation’s governing document. Representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to participate in the Convention. The initial purpose was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government.
The Constitution was still evolving after the Convention. 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 timeline of drafting and ratification of the Constitution covers a span of 5 years and 9 months, from March 25, 1785, to January 10, 1791.
Why Georgians Ratified: US Constitution's Appeal
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Bill of Rights
It took three years to ratify the Constitution because the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 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.
The initial purpose of the Convention was for the delegates to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the ultimate outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government. The Constitution was still evolving, and Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution, of which Congress adopted 12 on September 25, 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification.
The capital’s precise geographic location was left to President Washington, and on January 24, 1791—almost three years after the Constitution was first ratified—land was designated for construction.
Georgians' Swift Constitution Ratification: The Reason Behind
You may want to see also
The Connecticut Compromise
The Constitution was ratified on 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document. However, the Bill of Rights was not ratified until the end of the following year.
The US Constitution: Ratification and Its Legacy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified until the end of the following year.
The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries.
It became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
New York's Alexander Hamilton.
The initial purpose of the Convention was for the delegates to amend the Articles of Confederation.
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
