Twelve (12)
Explanation:
A constitution refers to a set of written laws and principles which is typically used to determine the power and authority of the government, as well as guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Simply stated, the Constitution is a formally written document that contains the set of laws that we live by in the United States of America. Thus, it guarantees certain rights to the federal government and the states such as right to taxation, regulate interstate commerce, declare war, borrow money, provide for the military forces, etc.
This ultimately implies that, the Constitution accords powers to the national or federal government and these includes; enumerated or delegated, reflected, and concurrent powers.
James Madison was an American expansionist, diplomat, statesman and founding father of the Constitution of the United States of America. He was born on the 16th of March, 1751 and he was elected to serve as the fourth president of the United States of America from 1809 to 1817.
James Madison was named as the "Father of the Constitution" because he played a significant role in the drafting and promotion of the U.S Bill of Rights and the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which held in the old Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia, United States of America.
Furthermore, there were twelve (12) amendments to the Constitution proposed by James Madison, but only ten (10) were approved by three-fourths of the state and ratified by the U.S Congress.
Hence, the actual number of amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America, that the leaders first proposed was twelve (12) but two (2) were not ratified at the time because the states rejected them. Also, the ten (10) ratified amendments are generally referred to as the U.S Bill of Rights.
The U.S Bill of Rights was proposed by the U.S Congress on the 25th of September, 1789 and was eventually ratified on the 15th of December, 1791 by three-fourths of the legislature to become part of the Constitution of the United States of America.
The U.S Bill of Rights was inspired by the English Bill of Rights (1689) and it is also known as the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Basically, the U.S Bill of Rights comprises;
1. The rights of the American citizens with respect to their government.
2. The freedom of American citizens from unusual and cruel punishment or excessive bail.
3. Freedom of petition, assembly, press, speech and religion.
4. Right of the American citizens to due process of law and freedom from double jeopardy or self-incrimination.
5. Rights of an accused person to a free, fair and speedy trial.
6. Rights of jury to try individuals in civil cases.
7. Freedom of the American citizens from illegal and unreasonable seizures or searches.
8. Reservation of power to the States.
9. Regulation of the military by allowing the right to keep and bear fire arms.
10. Quartering of the militia is prohibited.
