Balancing Strong Government and Individual Rights
In this lesson, you will learn about why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution; the rights it guarantees us, the people of the United States; and how our understanding of its meaning has changed since its inception. As you explore this vital document and its origins, think about what our rights are, how are they given to us, and whether they can be taken away.
You will be prompted to take notes, gather and analyze evidence, and organize this information in order to write an essay that answers the question:
How does the Bill of Rights establish and continue to define the rights we have as Americans?
Photographic reproduction of the original Bill of Rights
To help you answer that question, the lesson will focus on these aspects of the Bill of Rights and its history:
- How did the conflict between Federalists and Anti-Federalists shape the Bill of Rights?
- What kinds of rights and freedoms does the Bill of Rights provide, and how are they significant?
- How have the varied perspectives on the rights of Americans changed over time?
Calderwood Writing Course: U.S. History
