the bill of rights originally had twenty - seven amendments.
the bill of rights originally had twenty - seven amendments.
the bill of rights originally had how many amendments?
twenty - seven
originally opposed to the inclusion of a bill of rights in the constitution, madison had gradually come to understand the importance of doing so during the often contentious ratification debates. by taking the initiative to propose amendments himself through the congress, he hoped to preempt a second constitutional convention that might, it was feared, undo the difficult compromises of 1787, and open the entire constitution to reconsideration, thus risking the dissolution of the new federal government. writing to jefferson, he stated, "the friends of the constitution, some from an approbation of particular amendments, others from a spirit of conciliation, are generally agreed that the system should be revised. but they wish the revisal to be carried no farther than to supply additional guards for liberty." he also felt that amendments guaranteeing personal liberties would "give to the government its due popularity and stability". finally, he hoped that the amendments "would acquire by degrees the character of fundamental maxims of free government, and as they become incorporated with the national sentiment, counteract the impulses of interest and passion". historians continue to debate the degree to which madison considered the amendments of the bill of rights necessary, and to what degree he considered them politically expedient; in the outline of his address, he wrote, "bill of rights—useful—not essential—".
united states bill of rights
after the draft constitution was formulated, it was tabled before the respective colonial legislatures for approval. stephen leacock wrote that its acceptance in the transvaal was a foregone conclusion, as the dominant political parties in the legislature had both agreed to the constitution beforehand. the cape parliament, on the other hand, did propose some amendments, including the scrapping of the proportional representation system as adopted at the convention, the scrapping of which the orange river colony agreed with. leacock continues:"in natal, which as an ultra-british and ultra-loyal colony, was generally supposed to be in fear of union, many amendments were offered. the convention then met again at bloemfontein, made certain changes in the draft of the constitution, and again submitted the document to the colonies. this time it was accepted. only in natal was it thought necessary to take a popular vote, and here, contrary to expectation, the people voted heavily in favor of union."the cape submitted 12 amendments, natal 17 (in another attempt to secure a federal arrangement), and the orange river three. 40 amendments were subsequently made by the convention between 3 and 11 may 1909 in bloemfontein. the final approval by the colonial governments happened between may and june. the natal referendum returned 11,121 votes in favor of the draft constitution and 3,701 against.
national convention (south africa)