When the Articles of Confederation — the young nation's first attempt at a governing framework — proved inadequate, the Continental Congress responded by drafting the United States Constitution in 1787. This new document was dispatched to the states for their approval, and nine of them signed on within just the first few months. North Carolina, however, initially turned the Constitution down. It wasn't until November 21, 1789, that the state voted to ratify the document, making it the 12th state to officially join the Union.
Initial Rejection
Even though the Articles of Confederation had clearly failed because of a weak governmental structure, a deep wariness of centralized power lingered among many citizens. The memory of British overreach was still fresh, and people wanted assurances that any new system of government would put individual freedoms front and center.
When the U.S. Constitution was put before the states, North Carolina convened a special convention in 1788 to deliberate on the matter. In what came to be called the "Great Refusal," the state turned the proposal down.
A large share of North Carolina's population identified as Anti-Federalists — fierce opponents of the proposed Constitution. In their view, the new government would wield too much authority and could easily slide into tyranny. What troubled them most of all was the lack of a Bill of Rights specifically designed to protect the freedoms of both individuals and states.
North Carolina's Proposal
While North Carolina's delegates would not put their signatures on the Constitution as it stood, they didn't simply walk away. Instead, they put forward their own suggested amendments — a "Declaration of Rights and Amendments" — laying out specific demands to rein in federal powers, as outlined in the draft, and to enshrine protections for individual liberties.
Among the freedoms North Carolina championed were speech and religion, the right to a fair trial, and the right to a jury of peers. By refusing to ratify the Constitution without these safeguards, North Carolina played a pivotal role in bringing the Bill of Rights into existence, holding firm until their demands for these changes were addressed.
The 12th State
North Carolina's insistence ultimately paid off. In October 1789, a Bill of Rights was formally proposed and sent out to the states for ratification. Just weeks later, on November 21, 1789, North Carolina officially voted to ratify the United States Constitution, securing its place as the 12th state to join the Union.
Through its "Great Refusal," North Carolina left an enduring mark on history, helping to guarantee civil liberties that have protected everyone for centuries.