Who Wrote the Bill of Rights?
When posed with the question ‘Who Wrote the Bill of Rights?’ the answer may prove to be fairly ambiguous in its delivery; although historians vary with regard to their respective responses to this question, George Mason and James Madison are considered to be amongst the 2 primary candidates with regard to the authorship of the Bill of Rights.
James Madison: Who Wrote the Bill of Rights?
James Madison – alongside of James Madison - is credited with both the creation, as well as the conception of the Bill of Rights; as a result of his notice of the absence of a Constitutional Clause providing a system for both the amendment and adjustment of the original text, a clause was subsequently created rectifying these concerns – the actions of James Madison resulted in the proposal of the Bill of Rights in 1789, as well as its subsequent ratification in 1791.
George Mason: Who Wrote the Bill of Rights?
George Mason was a delegate from the state of Virginia, who is credited alongside James Madison with the passing – and subsequent creation - of the Bill of Rights; Mason is noted for his refusal to sign the Constitution. George Mason considered the fact that the Constitution lacked a clause that allowed for the passing of amendments, the addition of this clause would become the Bill of Rights.
Who Wrote the Bill of Rights? – An Exploration
The Bill of rights not only outlined a framework for a legislative system, but also mandated an identifiable statute with regard to alterations, adjustments, and modifications to the original text; the following is an exploration of the first 10 Constitutional Amendments – also known as the bill of Rights:
1st Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: This Amendment affords citizens of the United States with the freedom of religion, the freedom of press, the freedom of speech, and the right of assembly
2nd Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The right to bear arms in a lawful manner with regard to self-protection; firearms covered under the 2nd Amendment do not address service within the Militia
3rd Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 3rd Amendment prohibits unlawful entry with regard to private resident(s) in possession of citizens of the United States of America; the 3rd Amendment is not typically applicable to times of war
4th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 4th Amendment prohibits the unlawful search and seizure of resident belonging to citizens of the United States of America; this amendment also defines the rights of privacy awarded to citizens of the United States
5th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 5th Amendment addresses the modern incarnation of the ‘Right to remain silent’; this Amendment also prevents the unlawful and unethical abuse of power undertaken by a governing body
6th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 6th Amendment addresses legal procedure undertaken with regard to the prosecution – and investigation – of alleged criminal activity; this Amendment includes the right to a judicially-sound trial
7th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 7th Amendment affords individuals undergoing judicial trials with the right to be tried in accordance with the presence of a jury; juries present within judicial trials are indicated to consist of an individual’s ‘peers’
8th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 8th Amendment addresses legal criminal procedure; this Amendment prohibits punitive recourse classified as ‘cruel and unusual’ with regard to prosecution, as well as the prohibition of an excessive bail process
9th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 9th Amendment serves as legislative protection with regard to corollary Amendments within the Bill of Rights; this Amendment disallows for the violation of civil liberties and unlawful expansion of governmental power
10th Amendment
Date Proposed: September, 25th 1789
Date Ratified: December 15th, 1791
Contents of the Amendment: The 10th Amendment addresses the apportionment process latent within administrative responsibilities; this Amendment expressed that any or all administrative powers that have not been claimed by Federal or State governments become the responsibility of the general populace
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