North Carolina Ratifies the Bill of Rights

On November 21, 1789, North Carolina ratified the United States Constitution, becoming the 12th state to do so. This historic decision came after much debate and consideration over the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, which was pivotal for gaining wider support among states concerned about protecting individual liberties.

Context and Background

After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the newly drafted United States Constitution was sent to the states for ratification. However, several states, including North Carolina, expressed hesitation due to the lack of specific guarantees for individual rights. This concern led to the proposal and subsequent drafting of amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

Key Events Leading to Ratification

Initially, North Carolina, at its first convention in Hillsborough in 1788, chose not to ratify the Constitution. Delegates demanded more explicit protections for personal freedoms. The state called for a new constitutional convention to discuss potential amendments before they’d consider ratification.

By 1789, with a promise that amendments would soon follow the Constitution’s ratification, and with the knowledge that the First Congress had already proposed the Bill of Rights on September 25, 1789, sentiment in favor of joining the Union strengthened.

Significance of Ratification

North Carolina’s decision to ratify was crucial. As the 12th state to join, North Carolina’s acceptance of the Constitution, with the promise of a Bill of Rights, helped to solidify the new federal union. It underscored the necessity of the Bill of Rights as a vital component of the Constitution for both the protection of individual liberties and ensuring the cooperation of all states in the young nation.

Aftermath and Consequences

The ratification by North Carolina paved the way for ratifying the Bill of Rights itself, which occurred on December 15, 1791, when Virginia gave its necessary approval. The inclusion of these ten amendments helped alleviate fears of a too-powerful central government and set the stage for a more unified embrace of the U.S. Constitution across all thirteen original states.