U.S. History
Protection from Possible Tyranny:
Anti-Federalists & the American Bill of Rights
The Anti-Federalists were opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because they felt as
though it gave too much power to the national government. Anti-Federalists believed that a
powerful national government would become tyrannical like the British monarchy. Anti-Federalists
feared that a tyrannical, national government would take rights away from American citizens (as the
British had done). The only way the Anti-Federalists would agree to ratification was if the Federalists
included a Bill of Rights in the Constitution.
A Bill of Rights is a set of rules that defines people’s rights. The idea for an American Bill of
Rights was based upon the English Bill of Rights. In 1689, the King was forced to grant certain rights
to the people of England which included the right of individuals to own weapons and the right to
vote. Anti-Federalists wanted an American Bill of Rights to ensure that the government could never
take away the “unalienable” rights of American citizens. The Anti-Federalists viewed the Bill of Rights
was a safeguard which would prevent the national government from becoming tyrannical.
It was James Madison, a delegate at the Virginia state convention that suggested the addition
of an American Bill of Rights. He began creating a list of amendments (changes) to the Constitution
which guaranteed all American citizens certain rights. Many people agreed with Madison. They
hoped that a bill of rights would protect Americans from the power of the national government.
Congress edited Madison’s changes to the Constitution and proposed that the amendments be
included at the end of the Constitution in a separate section.
The amendments went to the states first for ratification. As with the Constitution, threequarters of the states needed to agree to the amendments for them to become official. Virginia
agreed to ratify the Constitution with the inclusion of the ten amendments in 1791. At this time, the
ten amendments were ratified and became the law of the land. These ten amendments became
known as the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights was designed to protect American citizens from the American government.
The Bill of Rights guaranteed that Americans could criticize the government without fear of
punishment (right to free speech). The 2nd Amendment guaranteed Americans the right to own
weapons (in case they needed to defend themselves from outside invaders…or defend themselves
against a tyrannical American government). The Bill of Rights ensured that all Americans would have
the right to privacy (4th Amendment). The American government could not come and search or
seize citizen’s property. The Bill of Rights guarantees that all Americans have the right to a fair trial if
they are accused of committing a crime. All of these rights (and those listed on pages 266-268 in
your textbook) ensure that the American government does not abuse its power over American
citizens.
Name:
Date:
Core:
U.S. History
History of the Bill of Rights
Reflection Questions
Directions: Use the Protection from Possible Tyranny and the A Closer Look at the Bill of Rights
handouts to help you answer the following questions.
Fact Check…
1. Why were the Anti-Federalists opposed to ratification of the Constitution? _______________
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2. Who was the main author of the American Bill of Rights? ______________________________
3. Define the word “aamendment” : ___________________________________________________
4. How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights? _____________
5. According to the Founding Fathers, what is the purpose of the Bill of Rights? ______________
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6. What right(s) are given to American citizens by the First Amendment (use your own words)?
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7. What right(s) are given to American citizens by the Fourth Amendment (use your own
words)? _______________________________________________________________________
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8. What right(s) are given to American citizens by the 8th Amendment (use your own words)?
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Reader Response.
Respond to the following question using ATIC.
1. Which of the ten amendments outlined in the Bill of Rights is most important to you?
Explain why using primary source evidence from the text and experiences from your own life.
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4
Exemplary
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Insightful, well
organized, and
fluent
Deep understanding
of text is
demonstrated
Specific references
to text are used to
support ideas
Text references are
well interpreted and
clearly connected to
response
3
Proficient
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Thoughtful,
organized, and
fluent
Clear understanding
of the text is
demonstrated
Relevant references
to text are used to
support ideas
Text references are
explained and
connected to
response
2
Progressing
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Organized and
somewhat fluent
Basic understanding
of text is displayed
At least one
relevant example
from text is used to
support ideas
Text references are
somewhat
connected to
response
1
Beginning
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Disorganized or
confusing
Limited or no
understanding of text
is displayed
Limited or no
examples from text
are used to support
ideas
Text reference seems
irrelevant to response