James Madison and the Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights: Let’s look at his role with the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution was sent to the Congress of the Confederation, which voted to send it to the Thirteen States to consider approving it.
Approval of the Constitution by the States was difficult due to the perceptions each state held regarding their position in the United States. The states thought of themselves as independent entities and not as part of a truly united group of states.
A group of people known as anti-federalists, including Founding Fathers Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Richard Henry Lee, opposed the Constitution’s creation of a strong federal government. They were worried that a strong central government was a threat to individual rights.
They argued that if individual rights are not guaranteed, the government could take them away. They insisted that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution or their states would not approve it. Madison was part of a group known as the Federalists who believed the national government should be strong enough to deal with problems that might arise in the country. He as well as others wrote a series of essays – known as the Federalist Papers — in support of approving the Constitution as it was written; with no specific protections for individual rights. The Anti-Federalists also wrote a series of essays that explained their position that the Constitution must include written guarantees of individual rights that the government can not take away.
After being drafted, the Constitution was sent to the Congress of the Confederation. Getting it approved by all members proved to be difficult. James Madison took the time to write a series of changes to address concerns.
Bill of Rights
Madison studied the Anti-Federalists’ concerns that a list of individual rights be added to the Constitution. Madison added ten changes, or amendments, to the Constitution, which became known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments guarantee personal freedoms and rights and placed clear limits on the federal government’s power. The amendments forbid the government from taking American freedoms as long as the government does not threaten the property or lives of its citizens. The amendments also add to the powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government, the states, or the people.
By June 21, 1788, the Constitution was approved by the minimum needed number of states, which was nine. The remaining states would eventually follow.
The Constitution and the new form of government came into effect on March 4, 1789. George Washington became the first President of the United States eight weeks later on April 30, 1789.
Let’s Reflect
Have you ever had a disagreement where, to get past that disagreement, you had to compromise?
- What was the disagreement, and how did you compromise?
- Did the compromise get you past the disagreement so that everyone was happy?
