The Bill of Rights (i.e., the first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution (Magleby. Light, & Nemacheck, 2018, p. 13), as adopted, did not spring from thin air. Instead, the original nineteen amendments to the U.S. Constitution introduced in Congress by James Madison (which were consolidated into twelve by Congress, and of which only ten were eventually adopted by the states), were cobbled together from amongst those suggestions submitted by the various state ratifying conventions for the U.S. Constitution. As such, it is obvious that there was not unanimity, and discussion amongst those who are part of a republic must be willing to make proposals, defend them, negotiate, and sometimes (perhaps, more accurately, oftentimes) compromise as they deal with the lawmaking and adoption processes. This is no different than what exists today.

Go to the Teaching American History (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. website. At the chart displayed therein, you will have the option to select one of the state names appearing at the top and it should then display a listing of the expressed concerns/proposals for the state. Read through and select one or more of those items which you find of particular interest.

Submit a response that first reflects the actual verbatim language of the proposed right/amendment. Next, describe what you perceive to be the issue (e.g., goal) of the proposed right/amendment. Then, describe who may have benefitted (e.g., potential supporters), or been negatively impacted (e.g., potential opponents) by its adoption and how so. Finally, adopt and draft a position either for/against adoption of the right/amendment, supported by cogent reasons/arguments.