The Bill of Rights was originally not The Bill of Rights as we know it
Articles 3 to 12, ratified December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
source: archives.gov
Bill of Rights (1791)
Although 12 amendments were originally proposed, the 10 that were ratified became the Bill of Rights in 1791. They defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. Articles 3 to 12, ratified December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. Article 2 concerning “varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives” was finally ratified on May 7, 1992 as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. The first amendment, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified.
-
1:21:47
Graham Allen
4 hours agoBiden Will Be GONE By Friday!!
42.6K127 -
2:23:38
Matt Kohrs
12 hours agoBiden Flounders, Stocks Pump Higher & The Week Ahead || The MK Show
24.8K3 -
1:00:36
2 MIKES LIVE
3 hours agoThe Mike Schwartz Show 07-08-2024
13.5K -
1:51:18
jeffahern
3 hours agoMonday Madness with Jeff Ahern
19.3K5 -
15:24
Dr David Jockers
2 hours agoThe Truth About Acid Reflux
8.39K1 -
1:36:05
The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters
6 hours agoThe Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #951
41.7K21 -
2:53:26
The Front
1 day agoThe Darkest Sides of WW2: Most Horrific Stories of the War Explained
24.4K2 -
1:24:48
Game On!
19 hours agoThe 49ers May Never Win a Super Bowl Again | NFC West 2024 Preview
35.3K5 -
21:59
ThinkStory
14 hours agoHOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Episode 4 Breakdown & Ending Explained - Connection to Fire & Blood
33.9K3 -
31:09
Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
1 day ago $0.07 earnedCyborg Civilizations
30.9K6