Washington Administrations - Changes in the U.S. Government
Changes in the U.S. Government
Perhaps the most important change in government during the Washington years was the ratification of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. The Federalists had promised a bill of rights during the great debate over the Constitution. The ratification of the amendments in 1791 helped cement support for the federal republic by guaranteeing important civil liberties, including freedom of religion, speech, the press, and assembly. The Tenth Amendment, not technically a part of the Bill of Rights, provided that powers not delegated to the U.S. government or denied to the states would remain the preserve of the states or of the people. Taken together, the first 10 amendments reassured the new nation that the federal government would be subject to constraints in its exercise of power.
The 13 original colonies all ratified the Constitution with Rhode Island being...
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