Bill of Rights Chapter 6 Section 1

Key Terms Bill of Rights Amendment process Convention

Amendment Process – the way changes are added to the Constitution Bill of Rights – A list of citizens rights become part of the constitution. Amendment Process – the way changes are added to the Constitution Has to be approved at the national and state level

Federalists promise to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution (1791) Congress approved and the states ratified the Amendments. Known as the Bill of Rights Spelled out individual freedoms Protections from government abuse

2 ways to propose an Amendment 1. Congress proposes the Amendment and it has to be approved by 2/3’s vote in House and Senate. Congress proposed 27 amendments this way 2. National convention, or assembly conventions Must be called by 2/3’s of states legislatures Never used

2 ways to ratify 1. Approval of ¾ of the states legislatures 2. approval by special convention in ¾ of the states Congress chooses the method

Analyze graph p. 161

The Debate in Congress The amendment process began in Congress James Madison declared that many Americans believed the Constitution did not adequately protect their rights Madison urged Congress to pass a Bill of Rights

Preparing Bill of Rights Statements include the magna Cart, the English Bill of Rights, colonial charters, and state Constitutions Majority of Congress Wanted the Bill of Rights at the end to give same importance as original Constitution

Proposal and the Ratification Wrote 12 amendments including 10 that protected citizens rights Only 2 failed One was to enlarge the House Second to limit Congressionsal