Constitution Bill of Rights

Constitution

There were a variety of political and economic factors that made the ratification of the U.S. Constitution a difficult and lengthy process. Of these, one of the largest areas of contention centered around the debate between the Federalists and the Antifederalists. The Federals supported ratification because they believed it was necessary to have a strong central authority. But the Antifderalists were concerned that the Constitution would give the president too much power, set up federal courts that would encroach on the more responsive local system, and create a Congress so small that it would make it difficult for representation of large constituencies. The Antifederalists feared that centralized power would be expanded and abused over time. Mistrust of government power stemmed from the colonial experience under British rule.

The Antifederalists refused to support the Constitution with the incorporate of a Bill of Rights. They believed the Constitution specified only what the government could do and needed to also consider what the government could not do. According to Thomas Jefferson, "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, or rest on inference." The American Bill of Rights, inspired by Jefferson and drafted by James Madison, was adopted, and in 1791 the Constitution's first ten amendments became the law of the land. The Bill of Rights protected rights the citizens believed were naturally theirs, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, press, petition and assembly, the right to privacy, due process of law, and equality before the law regardless of social status.