3.Opinions on the Ratification Issue

The Constitution needed nine states to ratify before it became effective.In the course of ratification，two sides were formed.Those who supported the Constitution and preferred a strong national government were called Federalists.Those who opposed the Constitution and preferred a more decentralized federal system of government were called Antifederalists.Under the pen name of“Publius”Alexander Hamilton，James Madison，and John Jay wrote eighty-five articles in the New York newspapers between October 1787 and May 1788supporting ratification of the Constitution.These Federalist Papers，as they are collectively known today，defended the principles of the Constitution and sought to dispel the fears of a national authority.The Antifederalists argued that the new Constitution betrayed the Revolution and was a step toward monarchy.They didn’t think enough powers were left to the states.Many people wanted the constitution to spell out the people’s rights.Still others did not like the Constitution because it did not do away with slavery.The Federalists agreed that if the Constitution was accepted，they would support changes to protect the rights of the people.In June 1788，when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify，the Constitution came into effect.

The Constitution may be changed by amendments，but only if three-quarters of the states agree to the change.In 1791the first ten amendments to the Constitution，the Bill of Rights，were approved by three-fourths of the states，so it was adopted.The Bill of Rights guaranteed freedom of speech，religion，peaceful assembly，and the press；the right to bear arms；freedom from unreasonable search；and the right to the protection of certain legal procedures known as the due process of law.Since the Bill of Rights，many more amendments have been added to the Constitution.Now the Constitution of the United States contains seven Articles and twenty-seven Amendments.The 27th Amendment was adopted on May 18，1992.These later amendments have made it possible for the Constitution to meet the needs of a changing nation.