What was one of James Madison's initial reasons for opposing a Bill of Rights?
Asked by: Robert Buckridge | Last update: January 23, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (41 votes)
James Madison and other supporters of the Constitution argued that a bill of rights wasn't necessary because - “the government can only exert the powers specified by the Constitution.” But they agreed to consider adding amendments when ratification was in danger in the key state of Massachusetts.
Why did James Madison initially oppose a Bill of Rights?
Among his several reasons for opposing a bill of rights was that such documents were often just “parchment barriers” that overbearing majorities violated in the states regardless of whether the written protections for minority rights existed.
Why did Madison initially oppose a Bill of Rights Quizlet?
Why did Madison initially oppose a bill of rights? He believed that people's rights were already protected by the Constitution.
Why did some oppose the Bill of Rights?
The birth of the Bill of Rights was controversial: Anti-Federalists demanded a concise constitution, which clearly delineated the people's rights and the limitations of the power of government. Federalists opposed the inclusion of a bill of rights as unnecessary.
Which of these is a reason Madison doubts the usefulness of a Bill of Rights?
He feared that in a republic the majority could act tyrannically by violating the rights of the minority. A bill of rights would just be a “parchment barrier” that would not stop a majority from imposing its will.
James Madison and the First Amendment, by Professor Jeffry Morrison
How did James Madison feel about the Bill of Rights quizlet?
How did James Madison feel about the Bill of Rights in the Constitution? He believed they were redundant and that the original Constitution would protect liberties.
What was James Madison known for?
James Madison, America's fourth President (1809-1817), made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. In later years, he was referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.”
What was the main argument against the Bill of Rights?
It was dangerous because any listing of rights could potentially be interpreted as exhaustive. Rights omitted could be considered as not retained. Finally, Federalists believed that bills of rights in history had been nothing more than paper protections, useless when they were most needed.
What was the initial debate over the Bill of Rights?
The arguments over the Bill of Rights were sometimes bitter, beginning with whether the federal government should protect individual rights at all. The framers considered opening the Constitution with a list of natural rights, following the lead of most of the state constitutions, but decided against it.
What are two ways the Bill of Rights opposes?
Answer and Explanation: The English Bill of Rights opposed the divine right of kings, by making monarchs subject to a kind of check and balances by Parliament which limited their power, and by removing the monarch as head of the church and making religion non-political.
Why did Hamilton and Madison think the Bill of Rights was unnecessary?
Hamilton and his supporters not only believed enumeration to be unnecessary, they feared that it could restrict the freedom of the people. By limiting certain powers of the state, a Bill of Rights could be interpreted to grant all others (Hamilton, Federalist No. 84).
What was a main reason why the Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution before the Bill of Rights was added?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the new Constitution gave the national government too much power. And that this new government—led by a new group of distant, out-of-touch political elites—would: Seize all political power. Swallow up the states—the governments that were closest to the people themselves.
Why did James Madison support the Constitution?
Madison believed keenly in the value of a strong government in which power was well controlled because it was well balanced among the branches.
What is the main goal of the Bill of Rights?
It spells out Americans' rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States.
How many Rights did Madison first propose?
James Madison proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, but only 10 were approved.
What is a famous quote from James Madison?
If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.
Why did people disagree with the Bill of Rights?
The Federalists opposed including a bill of rights on the ground that it was unnecessary. The Anti-Federalists, who were afraid of a strong centralized government, refused to support the Constitution without one. In the end, popular sentiment was decisive.
What was the disagreement about the creation of the Bank of the United States?
Such an institution clashed with Jefferson's vision of the United States as a chiefly agrarian society, not one based on banking, commerce, and industry. Jefferson also argued that the Constitution did not grant the government the authority to establish corporations, including a national bank.
What were the arguments against the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments. Many felt that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen.
What was the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?
There were two sides to the Great Debate: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists wanted to ratify the Constitution, the Anti-Federalists did not. One of the major issues these two parties debated concerned the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.
Why did the Bill of Rights not strongly affect citizens' lives until after the 1920s?
The Bill of Rights did not strongly affect most citizens' lives because it only limited the actions of the federal government and did not apply to the states until after the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868.
What important anti-federalist idea is expressed in this excerpt from the Anti-federalist Papers?
The correct answer is C)Support of a bill of rights. This excerpt from the Anti-Federalist Papers clearly represents the arguments as to why a bill of rights is necessary. This excerpt outlines how a federal government with too much control can result in no individual liberties for citizens.
What did James Madison suffer from?
He often described his sicknesses as “bilious indispositions,” vaguely defined illnesses which included fever, jaundice, and stomach upsets. If severe headaches were Jefferson's health nemesis, Madison often fell ill to what may have been recurrent malaria coupled with some relatively mild epileptic episodes.
What was James Madison's nickname?
He was called the 'Father of the Constitution' because of his work writing the Federalist Papers, drafting the Virginia plan, and representing Virginia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. His detractors derisively called him 'Little Jemmy' or 'His Little Majesty' because he was very short.
Did James Madison fight in any wars?
Madison was politically active throughout the Revolution. He was named commander of the Orange County militia, but his poor health precluded any active military service.