Ratifying the Constitution 5.3

BIG IDEAS MAIN IDEA: During the debate on the Constitution, the Federalists promised to pass a bill of rights in order to get the constitution ratified. WHY IT MATTERS NOW: The Bill of Rights continues to protect ordinary citizens

Federalist and Anti-federalists In order to combat the strong central government concerns of the Anti-Federalists the Federalists promised a Bill of Rights in order to protect the rights of people and states The promise of the Bill of Rights played a major role in the Ratification of the Constitution

Adaptation of the Bill of Rights September of 1789 Congress Submitted 12 amendments to congress waiting approval for ratification By December of 1791 the required ¾ of the states had approved 10 of the Amendments 1-8 explain personal liberties– protecting the peoples rights 9 and 10 impose limits on the federal government– protecting states rights.

Who was not included? Women were never mentioned Slaves had no rights– some northern states allowed free blacks the right to vote Native Americans were ignored

The Bill of Rights 1. Religious and Political Freedom 2. Right to Bare Arms 3. Freedom from quartering troops 4. Freedom against unreasonable sear and seizer 5. Rights of accused persons 6. Right to speedy, public trail 7. Right to trial by Jury 8. Limits on fines and punishments 9. Rights of the people 10. Powers of states and public