New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, putting it into effect in the America250 historical timeline.
New Hampshire’s ratifying convention approved the Constitution on June 21, 1788, by a vote of 57 to 47. Article Seven required approval from nine of the thirteen states for the new governmental framework to take effect among the ratifying states.
The vote followed a difficult national debate. Supporters, known as Federalists, argued that the Constitution would create a stronger and more stable union. Opponents, often called Anti-Federalists, feared that the proposed federal government could threaten state authority and individual liberties.
New Hampshire’s vote crossed the required threshold, but ratification continued afterward. Virginia became the tenth state, followed by New York. North Carolina and Rhode Island initially remained outside the new constitutional system; both eventually ratified, making the process complete for all thirteen original states.