“There is no Declaration of Rights, and the laws of the general government being paramount to the laws and constitution of the several States, the Declarations of Rights in the separate States are no security. Nor are the people secured even in the enjoyment of the benefits of the common law, which stands here upon no other foundation than its having been adopted by the respective acts of Assembly.”
— George Mason, Objections to this Constitution of Government, 1787
Which of the following historical developments most directly addressed the concerns expressed by George Mason in the excerpt?
- AThe creation of the First Bank of the United States to manage national debt
- BThe retention of the Articles of Confederation's unicameral legislature
- The addition of the Bill of Rights to the United States ConstitutionAnswer
- DThe adoption of a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution
Answer
The addition of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution
The correct answer is correct because Anti-Federalists refused to support the ratification of the Constitution unless it included a written bill of rights to safeguard individual and state liberties from the newly empowered federal government. In response, Federalists agreed to add these amendments immediately after ratification to secure the necessary votes.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Anti-Federalist objections and the creation of the Bill of Rights
Estimated Time:1m 30s