U.S. History / Unit 2: Revolution and the Constitution
2.6 Ratification and the Bill of Rights
Notes
Nine of the thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution. A fierce debate followed.
- Federalists (Hamilton, Madison, Jay) supported it and explained it in The Federalist Papers.
- Anti-Federalists (such as Patrick Henry and George Mason) feared a strong central government and the lack of a bill of rights.
- Federalists promised to add a bill of rights, which helped win ratification in key states. The Constitution took effect in 1789.
- The Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments) was ratified in 1791.
| Amendment | Protects |
|---|---|
| 1st | freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition |
| 2nd | right to keep and bear arms |
| 4th | no unreasonable searches and seizures |
| 5th | due process; no self-incrimination; no double jeopardy |
| 6th | speedy, public trial by jury; right to a lawyer |
| 8th | no cruel and unusual punishment |
| 10th | powers not given to the national government are reserved to the states or the people |
Practice
The Anti-Federalists' biggest objection to the original Constitution was that it:
They feared a powerful central government could take away rights without written protections.
Police search a student's home without a warrant or probable cause. Which amendment is most directly at issue?
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The Federalist Papers were written to:
Hamilton, Madison and Jay explained and defended the new Constitution.
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