Question

An examination of the circumstances preceding the ratification of the Constitution indicates which of the following?
A. George Washington was steadfastly opposed to a national bill of rights.
B. The Constitution contained a bill of rights that protected the people’s liberties.
C. Many supporters of the Constitution claimed that a national bill of rights was not necessary.
D. Hardly any states had a bill of rights in their constitution.

Answer 1

C

Many Federalists argued a national bill of rights was unnecessary because the Constitution only granted limited, enumerated powers to the federal government (and because many states already had their own bills of rights). Anti‑Federalist pressure, however, led to the adoption of the Bill of Rights shortly after ratification.