When the Constitution of the United States of America was written in 1787, many of the Founding Fathers did not deem it necessary to include a bill of rights. For one, they did not think it a critical issue, because they visualized a national government that was limited. Also, almost all of the state constitutions included a list of rights that the people were guaranteed. However, many Antifederalists feared that without this bill, the new government would take away the rights that the people had just fought for. So, to appease those who opposed the Constitution, the Federalists drafted about 350 ideas, which then were reduced down to 12 amendments, passed through Congress, and then were sent to the states. Although only 10 were ratified by the appropriate number of states, those 10 became known as the United States Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights was written to protect the U.S. citizens, to secure their rights, and to defend their beliefs. Highly important, this set of laws is the basis on which all our basic rights as Americans are founded upon. It bans actions that would threaten—and possibly blight—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Were these rights taken away, America would not be the free country it was designed and intended to be. The freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and the freedom of the press are some of the greatest liberties America is known for. If those were taken away, where would we be? Wouldn’t we be a bit like Great Britain, whom we just spent a costly war breaking away from? Protecting the rights listed in this bill is essential to preserving American liberty.
"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
~Patrick Henry
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