KNOW THE LAW

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. James Madison, one of our “founding fathers,” wrote these amendments to set limits on the powers of government through the Constitution, and to protect individual liberties. These amendments include the rights to free speech (First) to bear arms (Second) and to receive due process under the law (Fifth), among others.

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution during the years when our Nation’s new government began to take form, and it became concerning to some that the Constitution lacked limits on government power. Federalists advocated for a strong national government. They believed the people and the States automatically kept any powers not specifically assigned to the federal government. Anti-Federalists sought to give more power to state and local governments and to spell out and safeguard individual liberties.

Madison, then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and an Anti-Federalist, altered the Constitution’s text where he thought appropriate. Other representatives objected, saying that Congress had no authority to change the wording of the Constitution. In a compromise, Madison’s changes were presented as a list of amendments that would follow Article VII. The original 17 were eventually cut to 10 and ratified by Congress on December 15, 1791.

Source/learn more: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/bill-of-rights

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Understanding that the Bill of Rights is a part of the U.S. Constitution gives weight to the process the founders followed to include it. This understanding will bring clarity to the importance of these amendments and provide a gauge by which to view current events.

For more civics topics: lwvsonoma.org/civicsmenu