In what year was the Constitution ratified?

In what year was the Constitution ratified?

• A. 1776
• B. 1787
• C. 1788
• D. 1791

Answer: (C)

The key idea is when the new framework of government became law through state approval. After the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, the Constitution was written and then sent to the states for ratification. By 1788, enough states had ratified it (with the pivotal action often noted as nine states achieving approval) so the new government could go into effect. The year 1788 is when the Constitution was formally ratified, and it began operating in 1789. 1776 marks the Declaration of Independence, not ratification. 1787 is when the Constitution was drafted and signed. 1791 is when the Bill of Rights was ratified.

The key idea is when the new framework of government became law through state approval. After the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, the Constitution was written and then sent to the states for ratification. By 1788, enough states had ratified it (with the pivotal action often noted as nine states achieving approval) so the new government could go into effect. The year 1788 is when the Constitution was formally ratified, and it began operating in 1789.

1776 marks the Declaration of Independence, not ratification. 1787 is when the Constitution was drafted and signed. 1791 is when the Bill of Rights was ratified.