We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

That whenever Any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

A large gathering of people who come together for a common purpose, such as to discuss shared interests, make decisions, or nominate candidates. For example, a political party convention is a meeting where delegates select candidates and create a platform.

Congress then prompts that government to hold a constitutional convention with the objective of writing a state constitution. The constitution must be accepted by the people of the territory and then again by Congress. After this, Congress adopts a joint resolution for granting statehood by a majority vote.

To be considered for statehood, the citizens of a territory must affirm by popular vote that they wish to join the United States. The Congress can then admit that territory as a state by a majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 of the US Constitution states that a territory can petition to become a state by a majority vote of its citizens, and that Congress must then affirm that, and that the president must then sign that into law.

The 5 step process for admitting territories into the United States traditionally involves establishing a minimum population, having recognized boundaries, demonstrating self-governance, drafting a constitution and applying for statehood, and finally, being admitted by Congress.

Stipulations for new state dictated that it would be subject to the Articles of Confederation and acts of Congress; would be subject to payment for federal debts; would not tax federal properties within the state border or tax non-residents at a rate higher than residents; and would have a republican form of government ...

The U.S. Congress—both House and Senate—pass, by a simple majority vote, a joint resolution accepting the territory as a state. The President of the United States signs the joint resolution and the territory is acknowledged as a U.S. state.

Once the proposed state constitution was drafted, it was sent to Congress, which then decided whether to pass an additional act or resolution admitting the state. One variation in the Enabling Act process involved Congress delegating the final approval process to the President.

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.

It is accepted that any territory that wants to be considered a state must meet four criteria. These are a settled population, a defined territory, government and the ability to enter into relations with other states. These were originally set out in the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

The Bill of Rights became a document that defends not only majorities of the people against an overreaching federal government but also minorities against overreaching state governments. Today, there are debates over whether the federal government has become too powerful in threatening fundamental liberties. There are also debates about how to protect the least powerful in society against the tyranny of local majorities.