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[[Image:Bill of rights.jpg|thumb|300px|The Bill of Rights]]

[[Image:Bill of rights.jpg|thumb|300px|The Bill of Rights]]

During the debates on the adoption of the [[Constitution]], its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the [[American Revolution]]. They demanded a "'''bill of rights'''" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.  

During the debates on the adoption of the [[Constitution]], its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the general government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the [[American Revolution]]. They demanded a "'''bill of rights'''" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the  

Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. Articles 3 to 12, ratified December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. Article 2 concerning “varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives” was finally ratified on May 7, 1992 as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. The first amendment, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified.

 

On June 8th, 1789, Madison proposed a series of amendments to the Constitution which would become the Bill of Rights.  These were intended for one specific purpose: to keep government small and constrained.  In his opening speech proposing the Bill of rights, James Madison said the following:<ref>[http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1786-1800/madison-speech-proposing-the-bill-of-rights-june-8-1789.php Madison speech proposing the Bill of Rights June 8 1789]</ref>

 

 

Later, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed on September 25 to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution.  These amendments met arguments most frequently advanced against the Constitution. Articles 3 to 12, ratified December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. Article 2 concerning “varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives” was finally ratified on May 7, 1992 as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. The first amendment, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified.

Beginning in the late 1800's, during the [[Progressive Era]], articles of the Bill of Rights began to be incorporated in favor of the Federal government and against the states in a process known as the [[Incorporation doctrine]].  When the original twelve Bill of Rights were first proposed, it contained the following description as "declaratory and restrictive clauses".  Incorporation has the opposite effect.

Beginning in the late 1800's, during the [[Progressive Era]], articles of the Bill of Rights began to be incorporated in favor of the Federal government and against the states in a process known as the [[Incorporation doctrine]].  When the original twelve Bill of Rights were first proposed, it contained the following description as "declaratory and restrictive clauses".  Incorporation has the opposite effect.