What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect individual liberties and rights from government infringement. Ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments were created in response to concerns that without specific protections, the government could easily overstep its bounds and infringe upon the fundamental rights of citizens.

The Bill of Rights guarantees essential freedoms such as the freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring due process of law, and safeguarding the right to a fair trial, among others. By explicitly listing these rights, the Bill of Rights serves as a crucial limitation on government power, ensuring that individual liberties are upheld and protected against potential government abuses.

Understanding the significance of the Bill of Rights is key to recognizing how the U.S. Constitution works to maintain a balance between governmental authority and personal freedoms.