In 1787, feelings were running high. Freedom at last! However, the states were undecided as to whether to approve of the new "American" Constitution. Some state leaders claimed that this new Constitution should be "thrown away at once". Yet, others, like Robert Livingston, of N.Y, said, "A vote for it is a vote for clarity and sense." Let's look into this division. At first, most thought a central government should remain weak allowing each state …showed first 75 words of 551 total…

…showed last 75 words of 551 total…rules for adding amendments. These provided for change. "Change", the Founding Fathers claimed, was necessary. Before the states can vote on an amendment, two-thirds of both the House and Senate must approve of it. Then three quarters of all states must ratify it. The debate over ratifying the Constitution established the tradition of fighting with words rather than weapons. It is one of the most important documents in the world. It was a great experiment