Name                                Reading Comprehension Grade 8 

The Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. The
Bill of Rights was written by James Madison, and its purpose is to limit
governmental power in favor of freedom for individuals. In composing the
Bill of Rights, Madison was influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights
that had been written by George Mason. Other influencing documents
include the English Magna Carta, the English Petition of Right, the English
Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Body of Liberties.

The extent or limit of government power was a point of contention

between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Federalists felt it was
unnecessary, as any powers not specifically assigned to the federal
government were reserved for the states. But Anti-Federalists felt that it
was important to be explicit about what rights should be held by
individual people. Madison initially attempted to make revisions in the
Constitution itself, but ended up having to add his changes as
amendments instead, when several representative protested that
Congress did not have the power to change the wording of the
Constitution. Of the 17 amendments that Madison originally wrote and
which were approved by the house, only 12 were approved by the
Senate, and 10 ratified by the states. Virginia was the last to ratify the
amendments on December 15th, 1791.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the
owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

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