Creating the United States

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Virginia as the “The Tenth Pillar”

Virginia as "The Tenth Pillar" (075.03.00)

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Nine states were required to ratify the federal Constitution. After New Hampshire and Virginia became the ninth and tenth states or “Pillars,” supporters of the Constitution used these ratifications as leverage to convince the three remaining states to approve the Constitution and join the establishment of the new federal republic. New York followed suit in July 1788, but Rhode Island and North Carolina did not join until after the 1789 formation of the new government.
Nine states were required to ratify the federal Constitution. After New Hampshire and Virginia became the ninth and tenth states or “Pillars,” supporters of the Constitution used these ratifications as leverage to convince the three remaining states to approve the Constitution and join the establishment of the new federal republic. New York followed suit in July 1788, but Rhode Island and North Carolina did not join until after the 1789 formation of the new government.