Question

why was the bill of rights needed for the ratification of the constitution, and what did the bill of rights protect?

Answer 1

Anti-Federalists opposed ratification of the US Constitution.  The Articles of Confederation, in place prior to the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America, had granted stronger authority to the states. Patrick Henry and other Anti-Federalists were concerned about too much power winding up in the hands of the federal government and its executive branch, thus allowing a small number of national elites to control the affairs of the USA.  They feared this also would diminish the rights and freedoms of individual citizens.  They wanted a Bill of Rights in the Constitution to assure that rights and freedoms would not be compromised in any way.

The Bill of Rights, laid out in the first ten amendments to the Constitution, provided some reassurance to Anti-Federalists after the fight over ratification. The US Constitution was ratified in 1788.  The Bill of Rights was created in 1789 and ratified in 1791.

The Bill of Rights protects rights and freedoms such as:

• freedom of speech
• freedom of the press
• freedom of assembly
• rights of the accused
• due process under the law

... and more!

Answer 2

James Madison promised the Bill of Rights to the people even before the constitution was ratified. The Bill of Rights protects the basics freedoms of the people like freedom to practice any religion, the right to protest, the right to privacy. If you want a list of the first 10 amendments of the constitution I suggest you look them up.