Today in History: North Carolina Becomes 12th State to Ratify the Constitution

Peace, friendship, and a mutual understanding helped pave the way for North Carolina’s eventual ratification.

The post Today in History: North Carolina Becomes 12th State to Ratify the Constitution first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingToday in History: North Carolina Becomes 12th State to Ratify the Constitution

George Mason’s Warnings on Power and Consolidation

Many anti-federalists warned us about the dangers of centralized power. And George Mason was one of the most prominent, warning that a consolidated government “is totally subversive of every principle which has hitherto governed us,” and that it “is one of the worst curses that can possibly befall a nation.”

The post George Mason’s Warnings on Power and Consolidation first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingGeorge Mason’s Warnings on Power and Consolidation

The Constitution: A League of States Rather than a National Government

Today in 1787, representatives in Philadelphia signed the finalized United States Constitution. This occurred after a summer filled with contrasting proposals and rigorous debate. The convention decided upon a league of states rather than a national government, settling on “a more perfect union.” Throwing monarchy to the wayside, the body embraced the separation of powers […]

Continue ReadingThe Constitution: A League of States Rather than a National Government

Today in History: Rhode Island Becomes the 13th State to Ratify the Constitution

On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island ratified the Constitution of the United States, becoming the last of the original founding colonies to enter the Union. Rhode Island was the only state that failed to send a representative to the Philadelphia Convention, which had approved the final draft on Sept. 17, 1787. The state acted slowly…

Continue ReadingToday in History: Rhode Island Becomes the 13th State to Ratify the Constitution

Today in History: Georgia Ratifies the Constitution

On January 2, 1788, the State of Georgia ratified the Constitution for the United States. Georgia was the fourth state to do so. The ratification message was short and to the point, and there appears to have been little debate. The following ratification text is taken from the Library of Congress’s copy of Elliot’s Debates.…

Continue ReadingToday in History: Georgia Ratifies the Constitution