From: Jennifer Morrone
Date: 2/22/00
Time: 11:09:40 AM
Remote Name: 155.247.244.39
The opponents of the Constitution, The Antifederalists, wanted a greater protection of individual liberties and natural rights. They wanted a bill of rights to make sure there would not be a tyranny of the majority. Specifically, they wanted such rights as trial by jury and guaranteed freedom of religion. They also wanted to forbid cruel and unusual punishments. There was also support for freedom of speech and of the press. James Madison reviewed such requests and carefully went through the declarations of rights in various state constitutions. After reviewing them, he presented the House of Representatives with a set of amendments that were designed to protect peoples individual rights from government interference. A committee condensed and revised Madison's proposals into ten amendments. They then ratified them. These ten amendments combined were known as the Bill of Rights. These were tacked onto the end of the Constitution although Madison hoped they would be spread throughout the Constitution in the appropriate places. The Bill of Rights protected freedom of assembly, religion, the press and speech. They guarantee a speedy trial with an impartial jury; the rights to bear arms, and prohibit unreasonable search and seizure other amendments dealt with legal procedures. The Tenth Amendment addressed the states relation to the federal system. It gave powers specifically not given to, or prohibited by the U.S. government,in the Constitution, to the states. Both Houses of Congress passed the Bill of Rights and by December 15,1791 three-fourths of the states ratified them.