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Introduction Delegates to the Constitutional Convention The Work Begins Writing the Constitution The Great Compromise Signing the Constitution Ratifying the Constitution Bill of Rights Powers of the Federal Government The Three Branches of Government Checks and Balances Amendments Women - The Right to Vote

  

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Books & Reading

Books & Reading

What kind of new challenges has the rapid growth of computer usage and Internet access presented for the Bill of Rights?

What kind of important issues do you think the challenges of the criminal justice system may pose for the Bill of Rights in the years ahead?

Do you think in 2091, when the Tricentennial of the Bill of Rights is celebrated, the record will show that the American people will have repeatedly passed the ultimate test and always understood what was really important about this country - the citizen's right to live in liberty under the guarantees defined and upheld under the Bill of Rights?


The Bill of Rights


Ratifying the Constitution Signing the Constitution Delegates to the Constitutional Convention The Work Begins Writing the Constitution The Great Compromise Bill of Rights Powers of the Federal Government The Three Branches of Government Checks and Balances Amendments Women - The Right to Vote

The Bill of Rights

Some delegates, however, would not approve the Constitution when it was sent to the states for ratification until it included a bill of rights listing the individual rights of every citizen. So, the Convention promised a bill of rights would be attached to the final version. Several amendments were immediately considered when the first Congress met in 1789. Twelve amendments, written by James Madison, were presented to the states for final approval. Only ten were approved. Those ten make up the Bill of Rights. They are also the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

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In the 1833 landmark case of Barron v. Baltimore, the Supreme Court ruled that the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government. If this had remained the law, most of the rights we now take for granted - such as freedom of speech, the right to know why you are being arrested, the right to a jury or freedom of religion - would not be enforceable at the state and local government level - where it arises most often today.

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

The following idea provides primary and upper elementary with an introduction to the meaning and understanding of the Bill of Rights, in celebration of its 200th anniversary. This project provides the students with an opportunity for understanding the "Bill of Rights" by participating in activities using the "Bill of Rights Rap!" and the "Bill of Rights" - first ten amendments to the Constitution. Learn more at:

Bill of Rights

 

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The Dirksen Congressional CenterCopyright 2008