Which two states refused to approve the Constitution?
Asked by: Prof. Ashton Breitenberg DDS | Last update: March 14, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (13 votes)
The two states that initially refused to ratify the U.S. Constitution were North Carolina and Rhode Island, with North Carolina ratifying later in 1789 and Rhode Island holding out until 1790, partly due to strong Anti-Federalist sentiment and fears of a strong central government lacking a Bill of Rights.
Which two states rejected 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 two states refused to ratify the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added?
Two states, Rhode Island and North Carolina, refused to ratify without a bill of rights. A year later in June of 1789, Madison proposed a series of amendments to be debated in the first Congress.
Who refused to ratify the Constitution?
Of the delegates present on the final day of the Constitutional Convention on 17 September 1787, only three refused to sign the Constitution—Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts and George Mason and Edmund Randolph of Virginia.
Which state refused to participate in the Constitutional Convention?
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Amending the US Constitution: EOC review guide
Why did Rhode Island reject the Constitution?
Other issues included fear of direct federal taxes and aversion to the lengthy terms for members of Congress. The state's large Quaker population was offended by provisions on the slave trade, while the Federalists' scorn for the state's "excess of democracy" made its residents see the Constitution as a threat.
Which of the original 13 states refused to attend the Constitutional Convention?
The Convention met from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The Constitution was drafted in secret. All of the original 13 states except for Rhode Island sent delegates. Fifty-five delegates attended the Convention.
Why did North Carolina reject the Constitution?
One of the major reasons for North Carolina not ratifying the Constitution was its lack of a Bill of Rights. The delegates, however, proposed a series of amendments to personal liberties and urged the new federal Congress to adopt measures to incorporate a bill of rights into the Constitution.
What were the two rejected amendments?
In 1789, at the time of the submission of the Bill of Rights, twelve pro-were ratified and became the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Proposed Articles I and II were not ratified with these ten, but, in 1992, Article II was proclaimed as ratified, 203 years later.
Did all 13 states have to approve the Constitution?
Yes, all 13 original states eventually ratified the U.S. Constitution, but not all at once; Delaware was the first in 1787, and Rhode Island was the very last to ratify on May 29, 1790, after the new government was already operating for over a year. The Constitution became official when the required nine states ratified it in 1788, but all states joined over the next couple of years.
What states have not ratified the Constitution?
In June of 1788, New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island are the only states remaining that have not ratified.
Which state initially refused to ratify the Articles of Confederation?
On December 16, 1777, Virginia was the first state to ratify. Other states ratified during the early months of 1778. When Congress reconvened in June of 1778, the delegates learned that Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey refused to ratify the Articles.
Why did CT not ratify the Bill of Rights?
By Dec. 15, 1791, Virginia became the 11th state to ratify the Bill of Rights, enshrining them into law. For Connecticut, adopting the Bill of Rights had become moot, as “there was no legal need” for action as the National Archives states.
What two states refused to ratify the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added?
Largely as a result of pressure in several ratifying conventions, the Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. Rhode Island and North Carolina even refused to approve the Constitution until they saw the Bill of Rights in place.
When did the US 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.
Has any amendment been removed?
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Did the founding fathers put God in the Constitution?
No, the Founding Fathers did not put God in the U.S. Constitution; the document is notably silent on God and religion, a deliberate choice reflecting a consensus on separating church and state, though the Declaration of Independence did mention a Creator and the Articles of Confederation used "Great Governor of the World," while the Constitution includes a "Year of our Lord" in its date and bars religious tests for office in Article VI and the First Amendment protects religious freedom.
What is the forgotten amendment?
The Third Amendment to the United States Constitution is often referred to as the "forgotten amendment" due to its relative obscurity compared to other constitutional protections.
What is the most controversial constitutional amendment?
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 is one of the most significant and controversial amendments to the Constitution of India, often referred to as the “Mini Constitution” due to the extensive and wide-ranging changes it introduced.
Is North Carolina truly first in freedom?
Learn how North Carolina was the first state to call for independence from Britain, months before the Declaration of Independence was signed, with a document called "The Halifax Resolves." Discover more North Carolina history and share your own story at pbsnc.org/homegrown-history. Mecklenburg Declaration May 20, 1775.
Which two states didn't accept the Constitution?
Two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the new plan of government. Those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution were known as the Antifederalists.
Why was the NC constitution of 1868 so controversial?
Objecting to black suffrage, the lack of property qualifications to vote for state senators, and the direct election of judges and many executive officers, they immediately launched a campaign to repeal or revise the document.
Which state was last to ratify the Constitution?
It was not until May 29, 1790, that the last state, Rhode Island, finally ratified the Constitution.
Who hand wrote the US Constitution?
Jacob Shallus (1750-1796) was the Engrosser or Penman of the United States Constitution.
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.