Table of Contents
What groups did the Bill of Rights not apply to?
Originally, the Bill of Rights implicitly and legally protected only white men, excluding American Indians, people considered to be “black” (now described as African Americans), and women. The Bill of Rights originally only applied to the federal government, but has since been expanded to apply to the states as well.
What did the original Bill of Rights not apply?
Originally, the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government. One of the amendments rejected by the Senate would have applied those rights to state laws as well. When the votes of the 11 states were finally counted on December 15, 1791, only the last 10 of the 12 amendments had been ratified.
What did the Bill of Rights draw on?
The Bill of Rights draws influence and inspiration from the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and various later efforts in England and America to expand fundamental rights. George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights formed the basis of the amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights.
Who or what does the Bill of Rights put limitations on?
The remaining ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791. They put limits on the national government’s right to control specific civil liberties and rights, many of which were already protected by some of the state constitutions.
Why was the Bill of Rights not included in the Constitution?
The Federalists opposed including a bill of rights on the ground that it was unnecessary. The Anti-Federalists, who were afraid of a strong centralized government, refused to support the Constitution without one. In the end, popular sentiment was decisive.
When did the Bill of Rights get ratified?
The Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution protecting the rights of U.S. citizens—were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Who was the creator of the Bill of Rights?
“[A] bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse.”. – Thomas Jefferson, December 20, 1787.
Where was the declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights drafted?
The Declaration and Constitution were drafted by a congress and a convention that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (now known as Independence Hall) in 1776 and 1787 respectively. The Bill of Rights was proposed by the Congress that met in Federal Hall in New York City in 1789.