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Writing Rights
Rights Around the World
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1774-1789
  • HISTORICAL SOURCES
    The Founders drew inspiration from state bills of rights and proposals from the Constitution's ratifying conventions, among other documents.
June 8, 1789
  • MADISON'S ORIGINAL PROPOSALS
    James Madison drafted an initial set of 19 proposals for amendments to the Constitution, which he presented to Congress.
July 21 – August 24, 1789
  • THE HOUSE'S PROPOSALS
    The House was the first chamber to take up Madison's proposals; 17 amendments were passed to the Senate in modified form.
August 25 – September 9, 1789
  • THE SENATE'S PROPOSALS
    The Senate took up the House's 17 amendments. After editing, combining, and eliminating, they passed 12.
September 25, 1789
  • FINAL AMENDMENTS
    Congress agreed to the final 12 amendments. 10 were ratified by the states in December 1791.
  • 7th Amendment
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Writing Rights: the Bill of Rights
How did the Founders write the Bill of Rights? Explore key historical documents that inspired the Founders during their drafting process as well as the drafts and proposals for each amendment. Follow the twists and turns as the Founders deliberated and, sometimes, disagreed, on their path to the final text. See what “could have been” had the Founders followed a different path.
1. Choose an amendment
Start by selecting one of the Amendments to the Constitution at the top of the screen
2. select a source
Then, select any of the source documents in the legislative process. Compare that document’s text to that which Congress ultimately enacted.
3. explore
Repeat across any of the other Amendments – some were more contentious than others.
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