Article 7: Ratification Explained
Learn how the Constitution was ratified, why nine states were enough, and how Article 7 brought the new U.S. government to life.
Article 7 of the U.S. Constitution explains how the Constitution would become the official government of the United States.
Who Is Involved in Article 7?
The 13 Original States
Each state decided whether to approve the U.S. Constitution.
State Ratifying Conventions
A state ratifying convention was a meeting of representatives chosen by the people of a state to vote on whether the Constitution should be approved.
Congress
Congress submitted the proposed Constitution to the states for approval after it was signed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
State Representatives
The representatives at each state ratifying convention voted to approve or reject the Constitution on behalf of their state.
What Does Article 7 Do?
Article 7 established the process for approving the U.S. Constitution.
- The Constitution would not take effect until enough states approved it.
- Approval would come from state ratifying conventions, not state legislatures.
- Nine of the thirteen states had to approve the Constitution before it could become the nation's new government.
How Does Article 7 Work?
Representatives in each state met at a state ratifying convention to vote on whether to approve the Constitution. Once 9 of the 13 states approved it, the Constitution officially became the governing document of the United States.
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Where Does Article 7 Apply?
Article 7 applied to the original 13 states.
After the Constitution took effect, Article 7 became part of the U.S. Constitution and applies throughout the United States.
Why Was Article 7 Established?
The Founding Fathers wanted the Constitution to become effective without requiring approval from every state. Requiring approval from all 13 states could have delayed or prevented the new government from being created.
When Was Article 7 Approved?
Article 7 was written during the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution, allowing it to take effect.
The new federal government began operating under the Constitution on March 4, 1789, about 8 months later.
North Carolina approved the Constitution on November 21, 1789, about 8 months after the new government began operating.
Rhode Island became the final state to approve the Constitution on May 29, 1790, about 6 months later.
Disclaimer
This content was researched and organized with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, information may change over time. Readers are encouraged to verify important information using official sources and consult qualified professionals when making legal, financial, medical, or other important decisions.
