Average World Trivia: The Bill of Rights

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The "Bill of Rights" were the first ten amendments to what document?

Answer: United States Constitution

There were concerns among the framers of the Constitution that there should explicit limits on the power of the federal government and the rights the rights of States and individuals. This seemed to be a proper course following the American Revolution where many of these guarantees had been abused in the colonies.

The Amendments also had a basis in previous documents mentioned above and philosophical concepts. Fifteen of the fifty-five delegates refused to endorse the final document.

2. Who was the English philosopher who had a strong influence on the Bill of Rights?

Answer: Locke

John Locke in 1689 wrote "Two Treatises of Government" in which, in simplistic terms, set the tone for protecting the rights of persons to own property and also personal freedoms that protected individuals against overpowering government. The delegates approved the framework for the federal government but in the Bill of Rights sought to place restraints of the power of the government on individuals.

Many of the delegates were familiar with Locke's ideas. Voltaire and Rousseau were disciples of Locke.

3. What delegate, who was to become a future president of the United States, proposed and shepherded the Bill of Rights into law?

Answer: James Madison

James Madison became the fourth president of the United States, following Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. He is regarded historically as "The Father of the Bill of Rights". In a speech he urged the assembly saying:

"I believe that the great mass of the people who opposed [the Constitution], disliked it because it did not contain effectual provision against encroachments on particular rights, and those safeguards which they have been long accustomed to have interposed between them and the magistrate who exercised the sovereign power: nor ought we to consider them safe, while a great number of our fellow citizens think these securities necessary".

4. What was the only state of the original thirteen colonies that refused to send delegates to work on the Bill of Rights?

Answer: Rhode Island

Rhode Island refused to send delegates as they apparently were suspicious of the motives for the conference as well as possible implications for their state. There were those who were tagged 'Federalists' who were in favor of a strong central government.

The Anti-Federalists' were strong in Rhode Island. There was not total agreement. Patrick Henry declined to attend as he thought it was a device to restore the monarchy. Jefferson was in France and John Adams was in England as ambassadors. John Hancock and Samuel Adams did not attend.

5. Although today the Bill of Rights is generally interpreted to apply to all citizens, the original intent was much narrower. For which of these was the document intended?

Answer: Free white landowners

Although not explicit in the document, the Bill of Rights was first designed to protect the rights of white property owners. The Constitution had already defined a slave, for instance, as three-fifths of a person. Women did not get the vote until 130 years later. Although the United States prided itself on being a nation of immigrants, new arrivals were not fully trusted.

6. A popular expression when one is asked an uncomfortable question is to say "I'll take the fifth on that", referring, of course, to the Fifth Amendment. Which of these concepts is NOT addressed by the Fifth Amendment?

Answer: Trial by jury

Trial by jury is part of the Sixth Amendment. So if your spouse or significant other asks you if the new pair of jeans make them look fat, you can always take the Fifth at your own risk.

7. Which of these is NOT a First Amendment guarantee?

Answer: Right to bear arms

The First Amendment also secured the right to free assembly. The right to bear arms is part of the Second Amendment.

8. What was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights on November 20, 1789?

Answer: New Jersey

New Jersey was the first to ratify the Bill of Rights but took some exception to the First Amendment. It was followed by Maryland and North Carolina.

9. Connecticut was the last state to ratify the Bill of Rights. In what year did this occur?

Answer: 1939

It was not until 1939 as part of the celebration of the United States' sesquicentennial that the last three original states ratified the the Bill of Rights. The others were Massachusetts and Georgia earlier in 1939. Other states were admitted later accepted the Bill of Rights when they accepted the Constitution.

10. What amendment preserves the concept that states that nothing left to the federal government should be left to the States?

Answer: Tenth Amendment

It seems almost an afterthought, but after spelling out the duties of the federal government and the limitations on personal freedom in the Bill of Rights, it seemed a stop-gap to leave leave anything not covered to the individual states which may have caused more problems than it solved.

Source: Author Rehaberpro

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Average World Trivia: The Bill of Rights | 10 Questions

The United States added a 'Bill of Rights' to assure citizens of certain protections. This quiz explores the development and guarantees of that document.

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