The Significance of the First Nine States to Ratify the Constitution

When discussing the United States Constitution, it is crucial to understand the importance of those first nine states that ratified the document. The United States Constitution, as we know it today, came into effect on March 4, 1789, but its inception was a gradual process marked by significant milestones. This article explores the nine states that ratified the Constitution and their contributions to the formation of the United States.

Timeline of Ratification

The ratification process began in 1787 and culminated in the formation of the United States under the Constitution. The states that ratified the Constitution in the order they did so were:

Delaware: December 7, 1787 Pennsylvania: December 12, 1787 New Jersey: December 18, 1787 Georgia: January 2, 1788 Connecticut: January 9, 1788 Massachusetts: February 6, 1788 Maryland: April 28, 1788 South Carolina: May 23, 1788 New Hampshire: June 21, 1788

With New Hampshire reaching this crucial step on June 21, 1788, the Constitution became operational among these nine states. The remaining states followed suit, with Virginia and New York ratifying in June and July of 1788, respectively.

New Hampshire's Role in Constitutional History

The critical moment came on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. This event was significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrated that a federal government could be formed based on the consent of the governed. Second, it showed that the Constitution was a document drafted and imposed by the people, not the government. The Constitution created a structure in which the government would exist to serve the people.

Post-Ratification Challenges

Interestingly, Virginia and New York’s participation in the ratification process was delayed. Virginia initially rejected the Constitution but later ratified it after the addition of the Bill of Rights. New York’s legislature was unable to decide on electors in time for the 1789 election. North Carolina and Rhode Island, however, took longer. North Carolina’s first convention turned down the Constitution before changing its stance after the Bill of Rights was added. Rhode Island did not hold a convention until 1790, and its ratification came after the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.

Constitution as a Federal Document

The question of whether the United States was founded on a federal or national basis remains a subject of debate. The article mentioned that the Supreme Court, in Texas v. White, declared the United States to be "perpetual" under the Articles of Confederation, not the Constitution. Interestingly, there is no official record or key historical figure that states the Constitution is purely national. Instead, it is a federal document that establishes a system of government with powers divided between the federal and state governments.

Conclusion

The ratification process of the Constitution by the first nine states was a pivotal moment in American history. It laid the foundation for a federal government designed to serve the people. This moment marked the transition from a confederation where states held more power to a federation where the federal government had the authority to act in the best interest of the nation as a whole. Understanding the ratification process helps us appreciate the complexity and significance of forming a nation based on the principle of consent and representative government.