Admission to the Union facts for kids

The Admission to the Union Clause (also known as the New States Clause) is an important part of the Constitution of the United States. It gives the United States Congress the power to add new states to the United States. When the Constitution first started, there were thirteen states. Since then, 37 more states have joined the U.S. because of this clause. Each new state has the same rights and standing as the older ones.

Adding New States to the U.S.

The Admission to the Union Clause is a key rule in the U.S. Constitution. It explains how new states can become part of the country. This clause has been used many times to grow the United States from its original 13 states to the 50 states we have today.

What the Clause Says

The original text of this clause is found in Article 4, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution. It says:

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

In simpler words, this means:

New States can be added by the Congress into the United States. No new State can be added from land from inside an existing State, or multiple States, unless the governments of those States and Congress agree to it.

Key Rules for New States

This clause sets two main rules for adding new states:

• Congress decides: Only the U.S. Congress has the power to admit new states.
• No splitting or joining states without permission: A new state cannot be made by taking land from an existing state, or by combining parts of two or more states, unless the state governments involved and Congress all agree. This rule protects the borders and power of existing states.

Equal Footing for All States

When a new state joins the United States, it is admitted on an "equal footing" with all the other states. This means that new states have the same rights, powers, and responsibilities as the original states. They are not treated as lesser or different.

Why "Equal Footing" Matters

The idea of "equal footing" is very important. It ensures that:

• All states have the same representation in the Senate (two senators per state).
• New states have the same control over their own lands and laws, just like older states.
• It prevents older states from having more power or special privileges than newer ones.

How States Have Joined the Union

The first 13 states were the original colonies that formed the United States. Since then, 37 more states have been added. Each new state joined through a process that usually involved:

• A territory applying to become a state.
• Congress passing an "enabling act" that allows the territory to create a state constitution.
• The people of the territory voting to approve their constitution.
• Congress passing a resolution to officially admit the new state.

Images

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  The order in which the original 13 states ratified the constitution, then the order in which the others were admitted to the union.