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The Debate that Built the Bill of Rights
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After winning independence, a group of leaders gathered in Philadelphia to write a new Constitution, but not everyone was satisfied with the result. This video tells the story of the debate over the Bill of Rights, from George Mason's refusal to sign the Constitution without one, to Thomas Jefferson's letters from France urging Madison to reconsider, to James Madison's own change of heart that ultimately helped secure ten of our most fundamental freedoms.
As part of our Constitution Day Live programming, celebrating "Road to the Constitution," this video dives into how disagreement, persuasion, and a willingness to reconsider led to the creation of the Bill of Rights.
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The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. James Madison wrote the amendments, which list specific prohibitions on governmental power, in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties.
Primary sources, videos, essays, lessons, and more about the Bill of Rights and the first ten amendments.
Encourage your students to understand the full story of creating a new form of government from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution