2.   The Federalists believed it was unnecessary and that the Constitution already guarded against tyranny by limiting the government’s power  The Antifederalists disagreed  If the Federalist’s had not promised to later add a Bill of Rights the Constitution may not have been ratified Why wasn’t the Bill of Rights part of the Constitution?

3.   Amendments (changes to the Constitution) must be approved at the State and National levels  There are two ways to propose an amendment: 1.Congress proposes an amendment and it is approved by 2/3 vote 2.A National convention can be called by 2/3 States  There are two ways to ratify an amendment: 1.3/4 of State legislatures vote to approve it 2.3/4 of State conventions approve it The Amendment Process

4.   Adding a Bill of Rights was proposed to respond to the people’s will  However, others argued that other important laws needed to be passed first  Madison argued that it should be prepared soon:  “Make the Constitution better in the opinion of those who are opposed to it without weakening its frame…in the judgment of those who are attached to it” The Debate in Congress

5.   The list of rights drew on many earlier statements of individual rights:  Magna Carta  The English Bill of Rights  Colonial Charters  State Constitutions  There was debate as to where to place it in the Constitution.  It was decided that the list of rights would be attached to the end of the document  In order to not take away from the importance of the original document The Bill of Rights is Prepared

6.   12 Amendments were approved by Congress and proposed to the states for ratification in 1789.  Only two failed to gain enough support:  Proposals to enlarge the size of the House and to limit when Congress might raise its salaries  By December 15, 1791, the states had ratified 10 amendments protecting citizen’s rights. The Proposal for Ratification