What did several states demand before they ratify the constitution?

Answer 1

This, the Bill of Rights as the obvious answer, is a misnomer.

Only two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the US Constitution of 1787 before the new government was formed on March 4, 1789. Six months later Congress proposed 12 Amendments to the Constitution on September 25, 1789. The following month, North Carolina called a second State ratifying convention and approved the US Constitution on November 21, 1789. Rhode Island remained a separate nation.

When it became clear that Congress was going to enact legislation to treat Rhode Island as a foreign government, it ratified the Constitution by the narrowest margin (two votes) on May 29, 1790. In both cases, the US Constitution of 1787 had no additional amendments.

Ten of the 12 Amendments, now known as the Bill of Rights, were finally ratified by 4/5ths of the States (including Rhode Island and North Carolina), on December 15, 1791.

Answer 2

States like New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island decided to refuse the Constitution because they felt it (the Constitution) had not properly addressed the rights of the people. They felt that certain "fundamental" rights needed to be included in the Constitution before ratifying such a strong document. (Mind you that ratification was a big deal because it completely changed the mechanics of the United States from what is was under the Articles of Confederation.)

These states refused to ratify the Constitution unless a list of such fundamental rights (Bill of Rights) was included.

Answer 3

it was agreed a bill of rights would be added

Answer 4

a list of rights protecting liberties was added

Answer 5

Some states demanded a bill of rights, which has been amended 16 times to the current 26 unalienable rights we now have.