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Why a Bill of Rights and What Impact Does it Have? All have heard the saying, “Great minds think alike.” When many great minds of the colonies gathered to create a new government, two rarely thought exactly alike. The Bill of Rights was created through the kind of debate and exchange of ideas that it protects to this day. The Declaration of Independence states the purpose of government is to protect our basic human rights. This was one principle that all the Founders did agree on. But if they created a great system to protect rights, why did they argue about a bill of rights?
Who Were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
Two groups formed during the discussion over a bill of rights. Federalists strongly supported the
Constitution as it was written and did not think a bill of rights was needed. Anti-Federalists felt that a bill of rights would prevent the central government from threatening states’ authority and oppressing citizens. Federalists included Alexander Hamilton from New York and, at first, James Madison from
Virginia. They believed a bill of rights was not needed because the Constitution itself limited the government’s powers. They also feared that creating a list of rights might lead to other dangers. It would be impossible to list every right. Federalists did not want certain rights to be ignored just because they were not listed. Anti-Federalists included George Mason and Patrick Henry of Virginia.
They thought that listing rights would help protect against the powerful central government taking away the freedoms they had fought a revolution to preserve.
Why Did Madison Change His Mind?
The Constitutional Convention ended in late 1787, but the debate went on. Nine states ratified approved) the Constitution by the summer of 1788. However, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts submitted long lists of proposed amendments to guarantee rights. It became clear the people wanted a bill of rights. Madison sought the
Who Were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
Two groups formed during the discussion over a bill of rights. Federalists strongly supported the
Constitution as it was written and did not think a bill of rights was needed. Anti-Federalists felt that a bill of rights would prevent the central government from threatening states’ authority and oppressing citizens. Federalists included Alexander Hamilton from New York and, at first, James Madison from
Virginia. They believed a bill of rights was not needed because the Constitution itself limited the government’s powers. They also feared that creating a list of rights might lead to other dangers. It would be impossible to list every right. Federalists did not want certain rights to be ignored just because they were not listed. Anti-Federalists included George Mason and Patrick Henry of Virginia.
They thought that listing rights would help protect against the powerful central government taking away the freedoms they had fought a revolution to preserve.
Why Did Madison Change His Mind?
The Constitutional Convention ended in late 1787, but the debate went on. Nine states ratified approved) the Constitution by the summer of 1788. However, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts submitted long lists of proposed amendments to guarantee rights. It became clear the people wanted a bill of rights. Madison sought the