Approving
the
Constitution
1787-1790
Pgs. 367-371
Ratifying the Constitution
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According to Article VII of the
Constitution, 9 of the 13 states had to
ratify, or agree to, the Constitution
before it would become law.
Once the delegates signed the
Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, George
Washington ordered it sent to Congress.
Congress sent copies to the states.
State Conventions
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Each state held ratifying conventions to
vote for or against the Constitution.
Those who were in favor of the
Constitution were called Federalists.
Those who were against the Constitution
were called Anti-Federalists.
Anti-Federalists did not want a strong
federal government unless a bill of rights
was added to the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists
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Anti-Federalists wanted a bill of rights
added to the Constitution.
Patrick Henry - Virginia
George Clinton – New York
Samuel Adams - Massachusetts (He did
not like We the People he thought is
should be We the States.)
John Hancock – Massachusetts
What is a Bill of Rights?
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Many delegates to the state conventions
desired a bill of rights.
A bill of rights was a list of things the
government could not do.
For example, Patrick Henry and James Otis
were almost sent to prison for speaking
our against the British government.
A bill of rights would protect freedom of
speech.
The Vote
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The first state to ratify the Constitution
was Delaware on December 7, 1787.
The last state to ratify the Constitution
was Rhode Island on May 29, 1790.
New Hampshire became the ninth state
to ratify on June 21, 1788.
The last four states to ratify were Virginia,
New York, North Carolina, and Rhode
Island.
1. Delaware
2. Pennsylvania
3. New Jersey
4. Georgia
5. Connecticut
6. Massachusetts
7. Maryland
8. South Carolina
9. New Hampshire
10. Virginia
11. New York
12. North Carolina
13. Rhode Island
12-7-1787
12-12-1787
12-18-1787
1-2-1788
1-9-1788
2-6-1788
4-28-1788
5-23-1788
6-21-1788
6-25-1788
7-26-1788
11-21-1789
5-29-1790
30
46
38
26
128
187
63
149
57
89
30
194
34
0
23
0
0
40
168
11
63
47
79
27
77
32