Asked by ruth

Why were many citizens concerned about the lack of a bill of rights in the original Constitution?

Responses

They were afraid that the new national government would abolish slavery.

They were afraid that the new national government would abolish slavery.

They feared governmental abuses of power that might restrict their freedoms.

They feared governmental abuses of power that might restrict their freedoms.

They wanted to get rid of all restrictions on the rights of the people.

They wanted to get rid of all restrictions on the rights of the people.

If you list some rights, then those rights become more important than others.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
They feared governmental abuses of power that might restrict their freedoms.

Many Americans worried the new, stronger national government created by the Constitution had no explicit protections for freedoms (speech, press, religion, trial by jury, protection from unreasonable searches, etc.). Remembering British abuses under colonial rule, they wanted a written bill of rights to guarantee those liberties — which is why the first ten amendments were later added.