Bill of Rights

The framers of the U.S. Constitution were concerned that the individual rights of Americans in the new republic were not adequately protected in the original Constitution. Because the framers were fearful that the Constitution would not be ratified by the states, James Madison composed 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified by the states. Congress passed the amendments on September 25, 1789, and they became effective when the ratification process was completed on December 15, 1791.

The first ten amendments to the federal constitution, now known as the Bill of Rights, protect [Page 41]many of the rights that Americans hold most dear. In light of the significance that the Bill of Rights has had on the world of higher education, this entry examines ...