What state did not ratify the Constitution until 1790?

Asked by: Quinton Streich  |  Last update: February 19, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (42 votes)

Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, doing so on May 29, 1790, after significant delay due to fears of a strong central government and economic concerns, finally joining the Union under pressure from the other states and threats of trade embargoes.

Which state did not ratify the Constitution until 1790?

It was not until May 29, 1790, that the last state, Rhode Island, finally ratified the Constitution.

What states did not ratify the Constitution?

Only two states initially refused to ratify the U.S. Constitution: North Carolina and Rhode Island, though both eventually joined the Union after the new government was formed, with Rhode Island being the very last in May 1790. North Carolina delayed ratification due to concerns about a Bill of Rights, while Rhode Island's resistance stemmed from fears of centralized power and economic issues. 

How many states ratified the Constitution in 1790?

Rhode Island, the last state to do so, ratified it on May 29, 1790. All thirteen states ratified the Constitution.

Why did Rhode Island refuse to ratify the Constitution?

There were several reasons for Rhode Island's resistance including its concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The Constitution would also have made the state's practice of printing paper money illegal.

Why did only 9 states ratify the constitution?

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Why did North Carolina refuse to ratify the Constitution?

The debate resulted in the delegates voting 184 to 84 to neither ratify nor reject the Constitution, and North Carolina was not part of the Union until the 1789 Fayetteville Convention. One of the major reasons why North Carolina didn't ratify the Constitution was the lack of Bill of Rights.

What is the only state that did not attend the Constitutional Convention?

Between May 25 and September 17, 1787, 55 delegates from twelve states met in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention. Rhode Island was the only state that refused to send representatives.

What is the friendliest U.S. state?

While subjective, recent studies and surveys frequently name Minnesota the friendliest U.S. state, known for "Minnesota Nice," followed by Southern states like Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas, with Wyoming also ranking high due to its trusting residents; however, Hawaii is also often praised for its welcoming, community-focused culture. Different studies highlight varying aspects, from general politeness to tourist experience, but Midwestern and Southern states often dominate these lists.
 

Did the founding fathers base the Constitution on the Bible?

The Founding Fathers didn't base the Constitution directly on the Bible but were significantly influenced by Christian principles and biblical concepts that shaped their understanding of morality, human nature (like sinfulness), and natural law, even while drawing more directly from English common law, Enlightenment thinkers, and historical republics. While the Constitution itself doesn't mention God or the Bible (except for dating), biblical ideas about justice, governance, and individual rights, filtered through Protestantism and Enlightenment thought, provided a moral and conceptual foundation, alongside secular sources. 

When did the U.S. go from 48 to 50 states?

The U.S. went from 48 to 50 states in 1959, with Alaska becoming the 49th state on January 3, 1959, and Hawaii becoming the 50th state on August 21, 1959, making them the last two states admitted to the Union. Before 1959, the contiguous 48 states were completed with the admission of New Mexico (47th) in 1912 and Arizona (48th) in 1912.
 

Which two states originally rejected the Constitution?

Securing the ninth state was not going to be an easy task. In fact, North Carolina and Rhode Island did not ratify the Constitution until November 1789 and May 1790, respectively. They did so only after the First Congress sent 12 amendment proposals to the states for ratification.

What was the 13th state in America?

The 13th state admitted to the United States was Rhode Island, which ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, making it the last of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union.
 

Which state did not vote to ratify the era?

Arizona, Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina have not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment. Washington and Hawaii both ratified the amendment on March 22, 1972, immediately after Congress sent it to the states.

What two states refused to ratify the Constitution?

The two states that initially voted against ratifying the U.S. Constitution were North Carolina and Rhode Island, both holding out until after the new government was established, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates and North Carolina delaying ratification until a Bill of Rights was promised.
 

Which state was the first state in America?

The first state in the United States was Delaware, which ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union and earning the nickname "The First State". 

Which state did not immediately ratify the new Constitution?

Virginia and New York ratified shortly after New Hampshire, followed by North Carolina in November 1789. Rhode Island was last to ratify, not joining the Union until May 1790. Congress Steps Aside for a New Government. On July 2, Congress announced that the Constitution had been adopted.

Which president did not use the Bible to take the oath of office?

Several U.S. Presidents did not use a Bible for their oath, including John Quincy Adams (used a law book), Theodore Roosevelt (used no book at his first swearing-in), and Lyndon B. Johnson (used a Catholic missal), with Calvin Coolidge also noting he didn't use one, adhering to Vermont tradition. The Constitution doesn't require a Bible, allowing for these variations, often signifying a belief in secularism or responding to unique circumstances. 

Why is 777 the number of God?

The number 777 symbolizes divine perfection, completion, and holiness, deriving its meaning from the biblical significance of the number 7 (representing God's perfect creation in six days, plus a day of rest) being tripled to signify the perfect wholeness of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and God's complete work, contrasting with 666 (imperfection). While 777 isn't a specific biblical command, it's a powerful theological concept reinforcing God's ultimate perfection, spiritual fulfillment, and divine order in scripture and faith.
 

Did all 613 laws come from God?

Yes, the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in Judaism are traditionally considered to have been given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, forming the core of the Torah, though the Bible doesn't explicitly state the number 613; Jewish tradition, particularly Maimonides' work, compiled and enumerated them from the texts of the Torah, with the Ten Commandments serving as a summary of these broader laws. The exact list and interpretation vary, with some laws being ceremonial, moral, or judicial, and not all are applicable today. 

What is the least friendly state in the US?

According to World Population Review's Friendliest States 2024, New York is the least friendly state in all of America.

What is the most loved state in America?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most liked U.S. state, leading in favorability surveys for its beauty, pleasant climate, and perceived happiness, followed by states like Alaska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Colorado, while some polls show Minnesota or Michigan residents have the most state pride, according to data from 2025 YouGov polls. Different surveys measure "liked" differently, with some focusing on general favorability and others on resident pride, but Hawaii appears at the top for general appeal across the nation.
 

What is the freest state in the USA?

For the 24th time, New Hampshire is the freest state among all U.S. states, having scored 8.34 out of 10 in this year's report, which measures government spending, taxation, regulations and labor market restrictions using data from 2023, the most recent year of available comparable data.

Did Ben Franklin say if you can keep it?

"A republic, if you can keep it" When Benjamin Franklin was once asked what type of government the Constitutional Convention adopted, his cautionary response was, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Who walked out of the Constitutional Convention?

After two of New York's three delegates, John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates, abandoned the convention on July 10 with no intention of returning, New York was unable to vote on any further proposals, but Alexander Hamilton continued to occasionally speak during the convention's debates.

Which state boycotted the Constitutional Convention?

To take a simple example, Rhode Island boycotted the 1787 Philadelphia Convention. Consequently, a state probably could refuse to attend a national convention no matter what Congress or the other states said. State petitions also sometimes purport to dictate how a convention must be held.