Bill of Rights and Amendments Paper Essay Example
Bill of Rights and Amendments Paper
Ephraim Iivula
HIS/301
May 22, 2011
Kenneth Johnston
University of Phoenix
Bill of Rights and Amendments Bill of Rights and Amendments to the Constitution refers to the ensuing changes to the nation’s supreme document after its preliminary ratification. At first the founders conceded the initial 10 Amendments known as the Bill of Rights at the same time. In an attempt to tackle envisaged challenges and perfect the union, the founding fathers made enhancements to the early Constitution. As part of the national effort, these changes incorporated certain rights that the founders thought as eminent in advancing liberty and good governance. Notably, Bill of Rights include such rights as civil rights, the rule of law, fair trial, and all such rights that promote equality. This paper aims to explore how and why Amendments become part of the Constitution, the problems with the original document that motivated the adoption of the Bill of Rights and its effects. In addition, the paper also details the problems with the original document, or changes in society that necessitated later amendments. Finally, the paper chronicles the thirteenth through fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. How and why Amendments become part of the Constitution As Chief Justice John Marshall, 1821 once said, the people made the Constitution, and the people can unmake it. The Constitution is the creature of people’s will, and lives only by their aspirations. The Articles of the document adopted at the Philadelphia summer convention of 1787 represents a form of mutual statesmanship and the model of concession. However, Amendments became perceptible as a handful of states representatives deliberating on the document never refined it so that it covers the imminent need of incoming states. As such, successive changes to represent the broad interests for additional members to
Ephraim Iivula
HIS/301
May 22, 2011
Kenneth Johnston
University of Phoenix
Bill of Rights and Amendments Bill of Rights and Amendments to the Constitution refers to the ensuing changes to the nation’s supreme document after its preliminary ratification. At first the founders conceded the initial 10 Amendments known as the Bill of Rights at the same time. In an attempt to tackle envisaged challenges and perfect the union, the founding fathers made enhancements to the early Constitution. As part of the national effort, these changes incorporated certain rights that the founders thought as eminent in advancing liberty and good governance. Notably, Bill of Rights include such rights as civil rights, the rule of law, fair trial, and all such rights that promote equality. This paper aims to explore how and why Amendments become part of the Constitution, the problems with the original document that motivated the adoption of the Bill of Rights and its effects. In addition, the paper also details the problems with the original document, or changes in society that necessitated later amendments. Finally, the paper chronicles the thirteenth through fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. How and why Amendments become part of the Constitution As Chief Justice John Marshall, 1821 once said, the people made the Constitution, and the people can unmake it. The Constitution is the creature of people’s will, and lives only by their aspirations. The Articles of the document adopted at the Philadelphia summer convention of 1787 represents a form of mutual statesmanship and the model of concession. However, Amendments became perceptible as a handful of states representatives deliberating on the document never refined it so that it covers the imminent need of incoming states. As such, successive changes to represent the broad interests for additional members to