University of Missouri, Kansas City: Doug Linder's "The Bill of Rights: Its History and Significance"
Read this article for background information on the role that the Bill of Rights played in securing ratification of the Constitution. Led by vocal anti-federalist factions, several states were concerned about the national government overreaching its power and insisted that the Constitution include provisions for guaranteeing individual liberties. Be sure to consider the discussion questions at the end of the article.
Click http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.html link to open resource.