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In the fall of 1787, the call went out: Each of the 13 states
assembled special conventions to consider ratification of a
proposed Constitution of the United States. Without ratification
by nine conventions, the Constitution would flounder: America
would be a league of states, not one nation.
At
the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the states -
voting as states - had unanimously approved the
Constitution. But individual delegates had fiercely
opposed certain aspects of the document. Now, they returned
to their home states to agitate against the Constitution. Some
demanded a bill
of rights. Others complained that states' rights
had been violated.
Some
states - such as Delaware and Georgia - quickly and unanimously
ratified. Other states - such as Virginia and New York - agonized.
Two states - North Carolina and Rhode Island - would not ratify
at all without a bill of rights. Indeed, Rhode Island would
not approve the Constitution until economic sanctions had been
imposed against her.
The
Constitution was a controversial document, which was passionately
debated by the best minds in the land.
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