From: Kristy Ortenzi
Date: 2/21/00
Time: 7:43:11 PM
Remote Name: 205.188.193.181
Kristy Ortenzi
Text Assignment
What is the Bill of Rights and why was it added to the Constitution?
On September 25, 1789, the Bill of Rights were passed by the houses of Congress and by December of 1971, the amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the states. The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the Constitution that were revised by a committee that revised its original ideas into these ten amendments. The Bill of Rights, for most Americans are the most significant part of the Constitution. The reason that the Bill of Rights appealed to the people is because they protected the freedoms of assembly, speech, religion, and the press; guaranteed speedy trial by an impartial jury; preserved the people’s right to bear arms; and prohibited unreasonable searches. A bill of rights purpose is to secure the minority against the totalitarianism of the majority. Many Antifederalists wanted special guarantees for jury trial and freedom of religion, and prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment. Madison was not happy when he looked at these proposals but he did look at them. After the Constitution was adopted, Madison in regards to the bill of rights said, “We have in this way something to gain, and if we proceed with caution, nothing to lose.” On June 8, 1789, Madison went before the House of Representatives a set of amendments that were intended to protect the people rights from government interference. Then a committee took what Madison said and revised his ideas into ten amendments that were ratified and became known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because their was a need for a greater protection of individual liberties and rights. The Bill of Rights, today, are still the most important part of the American Constitution when it comes to the people.