Jonah Patel
Virginia was the tenth state to ratify the new Constitution, following a convention of 168 delegates who met in 1788 to debate the merits of the Constitution. The Virginia Ratifying Convention was led by James Madison, who was in favour of ratification, while Patrick Henry led those opposed. The Convention recommended the addition of a Bill of Rights, which was later incorporated into the United States Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 26 June 1788 |
| Number of delegates | 168 |
| Location | Richmond Theatre, Richmond |
| Convention president | Judge Edmund Pendleton |
| Convention dates | 2-27 June 1788 |
| Convention outcome | Ratification of the Constitution |
| Convention recommendation | Addition of a Bill of Rights |
| Number of states ratifying the Constitution | 11 |
| Date of new government operation | 4 March 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
The Virginia Ratifying Convention
James Madison led those in favour, Patrick Henry, delegate to the First Continental Convention and Revolutionary wartime governor, led those opposed. Governor Edmund Randolph, who had refused to sign the Constitution in the Philadelphia Convention, chose Virginia's Ratifying Convention to support adoption. George Mason had refused to sign due to the lack of a Bill of Rights in Philadelphia and would continue in his opposition. The Virginia ratification included a recommendation for a Bill of Rights, and Madison subsequently led the First Congress to send the Bill of Rights to the states for ratification. On receiving the proposed Constitution from the Philadelphia Convention, Congress initiated a ratification procedure for the proposed Constitution which by-passed the sitting state legislatures, going directly to the people of the country, state by state.
Virginia was the tenth state to ratify the new Constitution. New York followed a month later on July 26, 1788. The new government began operating with eleven states on March 4, 1789. The convention recommended the addition of a bill of rights but did not make ratification contingent upon it. Many of the ideas presented during this convention were later incorporated into the United States Bill of Rights. James Madison, elected to Congress from his home district was a floor leader in the first session of the First Congress. Madison rewrote the various state proposals into twelve proposals from Congress as amended, sent to the States for ratification by three-fourths of them.
Five delegates changed their mind and accepted the “ratify now, amend later” proposition on June 25. News that New Hampshire and Virginia had ratified reached New York during the early stages of deliberations. On July 26, New York, by a vote of 30-27, ratified the Constitution and proposed 25 items in a Bill of Rights and 31 amendments.
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The merits of the Constitution
Virginia was the tenth state to ratify the new Constitution. The Virginia Ratifying Convention was a convention of 168 delegates from Virginia who met in 1788 to ratify or reject the United States Constitution. The merits of the Constitution were debated by the Virginia delegates from June 2 through June 25, 1788. Five delegates changed their mind and accepted the “ratify now, amend later” proposition on June 25.
The Constitution also provided for a flexible and adaptable government, with the ability to amend it over time as the needs of the nation changed. This was an important consideration for the Virginia delegates, who wanted to ensure that the government would be able to respond to the needs of a growing and changing nation.
In addition, the Constitution established a system of federalism, with powers divided between the national government and the states. This was a key consideration for the Virginia delegates, who wanted to ensure that the state retained a degree of autonomy and control over local matters.
Finally, the Constitution provided for a strong executive branch, with a president who would be the commander-in-chief of the military and have the power to appoint federal judges and other officials. This was seen as necessary to ensure a strong and effective national government.
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The Massachusetts Compromise
Virginia was the tenth state to ratify the new Constitution. The Virginia Ratifying Convention (also historically referred to as the "Virginia Federal Convention") was a convention of 168 delegates from Virginia who met in 1788 to ratify or reject the United States Constitution, which had been drafted at the Philadelphia Convention the previous year. The Convention met and deliberated from June 2 through June 27 in Richmond.
The Virginia ratification included a recommendation for a Bill of Rights. James Madison led those in favour, and Patrick Henry, delegate to the First Continental Convention and Revolutionary wartime governor, led those opposed. The Virginia delegates debated the merits of the Constitution from June 2 through June 25, unaware that New Hampshire had already ratified it. Five delegates changed their mind and accepted the “ratify now, amend later” proposition on June 25.
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The Bill of Rights
The Virginia Ratifying Convention was a convention of 168 delegates from Virginia who met in 1788 to ratify or reject the United States Constitution. The Convention met and deliberated from June 2 through June 27 in Richmond. The Virginia ratification included a recommendation for a Bill of Rights.
The Virginia Ratifying Convention recommended the addition of a bill of rights, and James Madison, a leader in the convention, subsequently led the First Congress to send the Bill of Rights to the states for ratification. Many of the ideas presented during this convention were later incorporated into the United States Bill of Rights. Madison rewrote the various state proposals into twelve proposals from Congress, which were sent to the states for ratification by three-fourths of them.
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The Philadelphia Convention
The Virginia Ratifying Convention was held in 1788 to ratify or reject the United States Constitution, which had been drafted at the Philadelphia Convention the previous year. The Philadelphia Convention was a meeting of delegates from the states who came together to discuss and draft a new constitution for the United States. The convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787. The delegates to the convention included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. The convention was called because the existing government, created by the Articles of Confederation, was too weak to effectively govern the country. The delegates to the convention debated many issues, including the structure of the government, the powers of the central government, and the rights of the states. The convention resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, which established a federal system of government with a strong central government and guaranteed certain rights for the states. The Constitution was then sent to the states for ratification, and Virginia was the tenth state to ratify it.
Frequently asked questions
Virginia ratified the Constitution because James Madison led those in favour of ratification, and Governor Edmund Randolph, who had refused to sign the Constitution in the Philadelphia Convention, chose Virginia's Ratifying Convention to support adoption.
Patrick Henry, delegate to the First Continental Convention and Revolutionary wartime governor, led those opposed. George Mason also refused to sign the Constitution due to the lack of a Bill of Rights.
The Virginia Ratifying Convention recommended the addition of a Bill of Rights, but did not make ratification contingent upon it. Many of the ideas presented during this convention were later incorporated into the United States Bill of Rights.
Virginia ratified the Constitution on 26 June 1788.
