How the Original 13 States Joined the United States

Two Founding Acts: Confederation Then Constitution

The 13 original colonies became the United States through a two-stage legal process:

Stage 1: Articles of Confederation (1781–1789)

• Drafted: 1777 by Second Continental Congress.
• Ratification: Required all 13 states. Last: Maryland (Feb 2, 1781) – delayed over western land claims.
• Effect: Created a loose league of friendship; weak central congress (no tax, no executive, no judiciary, 9/13 to pass laws).
• States in Order of Ratification: Virginia, South Carolina, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Georgia, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Massachusetts. (Dates: 1778–1781).

Stage 2: U.S. Constitution (1787–1790)

• Constitutional Convention: Philadelphia, May–Sep 1787. Drafted new framework.
• Ratification Mechanism: State conventions (not legislatures); 9 of 13 needed to activate.
• First 9 (The "Federalist" Nine):
  1. Delaware (Dec 7, 1787) – "The First State"
  2. Pennsylvania (Dec 12, 1787)
  3. New Jersey (Dec 18, 1787)
  4. Georgia (Jan 2, 1788)
  5. Connecticut (Jan 9, 1788)
  6. Massachusetts (Feb 6, 1788) – with recommended amendments
  7. Maryland (Apr 28, 1788)
  8. South Carolina (May 23, 1788)
  9. New Hampshire (Jun 21, 1788) – 9th state: Constitution active
• Holdouts → Ratified After Pressure/Bill of Rights Promise:
  10. Virginia (Jun 25, 1788) – close vote (89–79)
  11. New York (Jul 26, 1788) – very close (30–27); Hamilton's Federalist Papers key
  12. North Carolina (Nov 21, 1789) – after Bill of Rights proposed
  13. Rhode Island (May 29, 1790) – last; boycotted convention, forced by trade pressure
• Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments): Proposed 1789, ratified 1791 – secured reluctant states' support.

Result

By May 29, 1790, all 13 original states were members of the United States under the Constitution, forming the constitutional foundation of the nation.