Celebrating 225: States Ratify Fledgling Constitution By Daniel J. Rua The delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the U.S. Constitution in September of 1787, taking the first step toward a new federal government. The charter had been drafted in strict secrecy, and before becoming law, would have to stand up to rigorous debate and public scrutiny. It first had to clear Congress. Congressional representatives spent two days debating whether to officially condemn the delegates for overstepping their authority; instead of revising the Articles of Confederation, they had created a new form of government. Congress eventually dropped the issue and sent the Constitution to the states for ratification. Nine of the thirteen states would have to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect. Delaware Delaware (30-0)
was the first to ratify on December 7, 1787, December 7, 1787
Pennsylvania (46-23)
much to the dismay of Pennsylvanians who were December 12, 1787
rushing to be first with hopes of securing the seat of national government in their state. In fact, Pennsylvania Federalists began proceedings for a state constitutional convention even before New Jersey (38-0)
Congress had instructed them to do so. December 18, 1787
Antifederalists, in an attempt to block this move, Georgia (26-0)
refused to attend the last few days of the January 2, 1788
convention, undermining the legislative quorum and preventing any further progress. They were Connecticut (128-40)
ultimately found at their boarding house, January 9, 1788
dragged through the streets of Philadelphia, and locked inside the Pennsylvania State House. Massachusetts (187-168)
February 6, 1788
Proceedings continued and ratification was achieved by a vote of 46‐23. Maryland (63-11)
April 28, 1788
The Constitution also met resistance in Massachusetts, where influential Antifederalists South Carolina (149-73)
May 23, 1788
such as John Hancock and Samuel Adams criticized the charter for not containing a bill of rights. After much debate, Hancock switched to New Hampshire (57-47)
June 21, 1788
leading the charge for ratification. He had been convinced that should the Constitution become Virginia (89-79)
June 25, 1788
law, the first Congress would prioritize drafting amendments to protect individual rights. New York (30-27)
Hancock’s support, coupled with the strong July 26, 1788
support of artisans who favored a protectionist North Carolina (194-77)
November 21, 1789
Rhode Island (34-32)
May 29, 1790
national government, helped Massachusetts eke out a 187‐168 vote in support of the Constitution. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire ratified the Constitution. With nine Vermont ratified the Constitution on January 10, 1791, even though it had not yet become a state. states now having approved ratification, the Constitution formally became the law of the land. The On March 24, 1788, Rhode Island rejected the Constitution by popular referendum. The vote was 237 in favor and 2,945 opposed.
Continental Congress soon after appointed a committee responsible New Hampshire had two constitutional conventions. The first failed to for holding elections for the new ratify the Constitution. The second convention resulted in the ninth government. On September 13, ratification, meeting the threshold for adoption of the Constitution. 1788, Congress resolved that the first electors for the presidential election should be appointed in ratifying states on the first Wednesday in January, 1789. It was decided that the first Congress governed by the new Constitution would meet on the first Wednesday in March, 1789. By the time Virginia and New York ratified the Constitution the nine‐state threshold had already been met, however, their decision was still crucial to the success of the nation. Without their support, the new union would be geographically divided. Virginia ratified by a close vote of 89‐79. The debates in New York gave rise to The Federalist Papers, a collection of letters by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. These influential writings sought to convince the public of the necessity of a strong central government, and assure them that the separation of powers promised by the Constitution would protect them from tyranny. On July 26, 1788, New York ratified by a narrow 30‐27. All thirteen states eventually ratified the Constitution. Rhode Island was the last. It had rejected the Constitution in March 1788 by popular referendum. Faced with adverse treatment as a foreign nation by the new government, Rhode Island reconsidered, and, by a mere two votes, became the last of the original colonies to ratify on May 29, 1790. Daniel J. Rua, a student at the University of Chicago, is an intern with the Division for Public Education.