The Constitution is a written document that outlined the formation of our Union of States and created a "federation". The Problem with the document was the federal government part. The wrangling over the details took over ten years before they created a system with balance between the Federal and States duties and responsibilities. At the end, there were a few States that still were concerned about the Federal government and insisted that an addition to the document that would delineate restrictions on the Federal government. This became a Bill of Rights. The important distinction that most people don't seem to get is that this Bill did not "grant" any Rights, it simply states that the Federal government is forbidden or restricted from infringing on these Rights, as these Rights are God given and inalienable from the people. The Bill of Rights is a clear and concise limitation on the power of the government, not a magical document that grants Rights to its citizens. "These Rights SHALL NOT be infringed"