The federalists supported ratification of the US Constitution, while the anti-federalists opposed it. To achieve ratification, the federalists used several strategies: they bribed delegates to rush the ratification process, scheduled votes too early for some delegates to attend, and published newspaper essays in support of ratification and rebutting anti-federalist arguments. Eventually nine states ratified, but securing support from New York and Virginia was critical. The federalists struck a deal to add a bill of rights to the Constitution, which led those final two states to ratify.