Ratification facts for kids

Ratification is when a country officially agrees to a treaty. Think of it like signing a big, important contract. When leaders from different countries make a deal, they often write it down as a treaty. But before that deal becomes truly official and binding, each country usually needs to ratify it.

This process makes sure that the treaty is okay with the country's own rules and people. Sometimes, a country's lawmakers, like a parliament or congress, need to vote on it. Other times, the people themselves might vote in something called a referendum. This step is important because treaties can change laws or make a country promise to do certain things.

Why Ratification Matters

In the past, kings or queens would send people to make treaties for them. To be sure the king or queen really liked the deal, the treaty wouldn't start until they officially approved it. This approval was called ratification.

Today, it's similar. Even if a country's leader signs a treaty, it often doesn't become law until it goes through the ratification process. This makes sure that the treaty has the full support of the government and, sometimes, the people.

Ratification in the United States

In the United States, a treaty only becomes official if the Senate agrees to it. The Senate is a group of lawmakers. They have to give their "advice and consent," which means they agree to the treaty.

For example, after World War I, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Treaty of Versailles. This treaty was supposed to end the war with Germany and create the League of Nations, a group meant to keep peace. However, the US Senate never agreed to it. Because of this, the United States never officially joined the Treaty of Versailles or the League of Nations. The USA had to make a separate peace treaty with Germany.

Ratification in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the government usually ratifies treaties without needing a vote from the House of Commons (their main group of lawmakers).

However, if a treaty is going to change the laws of the country, then a separate law, called an Act of Parliament, must be passed. For instance, before Britain joined the European Union in 1973, they had to pass a law called the European Communities Act. This law made the necessary changes to British law so they could join the European Union.

See also

In Spanish: Ratificación para niños