{"id":31065,"date":"2016-04-04T20:33:52","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T01:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/constitution\/bill-of-rights.html"},"modified":"2024-09-30T13:56:09","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:56:09","slug":"bill-of-rights","status":"publish","type":"constitution","link":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/bill-of-rights.html","title":{"rendered":"Bill of Rights U.S. Constitution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bill of Rights U.S. Constitution<\/h1>\n
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\n By Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Edward Maggio, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Passed in 1789 and ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights encompasses the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments represent some of the most well-known aspects of constitutional law.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Enacted in 1789 and ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments constitute some of the most recognized elements of constitutional law.<\/p>\r\n

Many know the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press, but these constitute just three of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.<\/p>\r\n

The Constitution and its 27 amendments offer so much more. The ten amendments comprising the Bill of Rights, in particular, safeguard the unique structure of the United States government and protect individuals from government overreach.<\/p>\r\n

Historical Background of the Bill of Rights<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Laws protecting individual liberties from government tyranny existed for centuries before British colonies became the United States of America. England’s Magna Carta<\/a>, signed by King John in 1215, protected the king’s subjects from abuse of power by the royals. It even included a requirement that actions taken by the government follow certain procedures\u2014an early form of "due process<\/a>." The 1689 English Bill of Rights<\/a> protected free speech and the right to petition the government.<\/p>\r\n

The Framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted to avoid many of the problems experienced under the British monarchy. However, at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the delegates unanimously rejected a proposal by Virginia delegate George Mason to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. Some argued that state legislatures already protected citizens’ individual rights in their state constitutions. Others feared that outlining specific rights would leave the federal government free to infringe on rights that weren’t explicitly laid out.<\/p>\r\n

George Mason ultimately refused to add his signature to the original Constitution because it did not include a bill of rights. Thirteen of the original 55 delegates dropped out, and two others refused to sign it. The remaining 39 delegates signed their name to the document.<\/p>\r\n

However, the Constitution’s lack of a bill of rights was the biggest obstacle to its ratification by the states.<\/p>\r\n

Why Was the Bill of Rights Added to the Constitution?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The addition of the Bill of Rights was mainly a reaction to issues the Constitution\u2019s Framers encountered during the ratification process. In general, ratification means signing or giving formal consent to something. For example, when an international treaty is created, member countries must sign on for it to become valid.<\/p>\r\n

When the Constitution was written, two groups, Federalists and Anti-Federalists, put forth opposing visions of the future of the U.S. government:<\/p>\r\n