Why was the Bill of Rights added to the United States Constitution?

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Constitution of the United States of America Original copy of the U.S. Constitution, housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

The Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution primarily because several delegates to the Constitutional Convention, most notably George Mason, refused to sign the Constitution due to its lack of a bill of rights. Many states ratified the Constitution with the understanding that a bill of rights would be quickly added. The Anti-Federalists also strongly advocated for a Bill of Rights, fearing the power of a strong central government and the potential loss of individual liberties. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments, was ratified in 1791 and guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms of U.S. citizens in relation to their government.123