Name: ________________________________________

Date: _________________



Central Question: Why was there a debate over the
Bill of Rights?


1) Read over the following excerpts.
2) Record what each author believes in the chart by filling out the claim
section in your own words.
3) Fill out the evidence section by citing clues in the text that led you to
come to your conclusion.
4) Answer the question at the end when you are done with the activity


Excerpt 1
Author: Alexander Hamilton
From: Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 84
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/fedpapers/fed_84.html

The truth is, after all the declamations we have heard, that the Constitution is
itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS. The
several bills of rights in Great Britain form its Constitution, and conversely the
constitution of each State is its bill of rights. And the proposed Constitution, if adopted,
will be the bill of rights of the Union. Is it one object of a bill of rights to declare and
specify the political privileges of the citizens in the structure and administration of the
government? This is done in the most ample and precise manner in the plan of the
convention; comprehending various precautions for the public security, which are not to
be found in any of the State constitutions. Is another object of a bill of rights to define
certain immunities and modes of proceeding, which are relative to personal and private
concerns? This we have seen has also been attended to, in a variety of cases, in the same
plan. Adverting therefore to the substantial meaning of a bill of rights, it is absurd to
allege that it is not to be found in the work of the convention.


Definitions:
- Declamations= speeches
- Conversely= introducing a statement or idea that reverses one that has just
been made
- Ample= more than enough
- Adverting= calling attention to

Excerpt 2
Author: George Mason
From: George Masons Objections to the Constitution, October 1787
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/bor/masons-objections/

There is no declaration of rights; and, the laws of the general government being
paramount to the laws and constitutions of the several states, the declarations of rights in
the separate states are no security. [] In the House of Representatives there is not the
substance, but the shadow only, of representation, which can never produce proper
information in the legislature, or inspire confidence in the people. The laws will,
therefore, be generally made by men little concerned in, and unacquainted with, their
effects and consequences.
The Senate have the power of altering all money bills, and of originating
appropriations of money, and the salaries of the officers of their own appointment, in
conjunction with the President of the United States, although they are not the
representatives of the people, or amenable to them. These, with their other great powers,
[] their influence upon, and connection with, the supreme executive from these causes;
their duration of office; and their being a constant existing body, almost continually
sitting, joined with their being one complete branch of the legislature, will destroy any
balance in the government, and enable them to accomplish what usurpations they please
upon the rights and liberties of the people.



Definitions:
- Paramount= more important than anything else
- Appropriations= sums or funds
- Conjunction= at the same time
- Amenable= easily persuaded by/accountable
- Usurpations= trespasses
















Excerpt 1: Alexander Hamilton


Claim:


















Evidence:




















Excerpt 2: George Mason


Claim:


















Evidence:







Use anything you might have just learned from these documents to answer this
question again:

Using what we know about Federalists and Anti-Federalists views on the nature
of government, how did each side feel about a Bill of Rights? Why?

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________
________