What is the main purpose of the Bill of Rights?

What is the main purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• A. To establish government structures
• B. To protect individual liberties
• C. To outline the process of impeachment
• D. To define the roles of federal and state governments

Answer: (B)

The main purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect individual liberties, which is crucial for safeguarding the rights of citizens against potential government overreach. Ratified in 1791 as the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights specifically enumerates various rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to bear arms. By clearly defining these rights, it ensures that individuals have certain protections that cannot be infringed upon by the government, thus reinforcing the concept of limited government. The other aspects mentioned, such as establishing government structures or outlining impeachment processes, do not directly relate to the core purpose of the Bill of Rights. While the Constitution does deal with the organization of government and the impeachment process, these elements are not the focus of the Bill of Rights, which is fundamentally about protecting personal freedoms and rights. Similarly, while the relationship between federal and state governments is discussed in other parts of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights itself specifically concentrates on individual liberties, making its main purpose clear and focused.

The main purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect individual liberties, which is crucial for safeguarding the rights of citizens against potential government overreach. Ratified in 1791 as the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights specifically enumerates various rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to bear arms. By clearly defining these rights, it ensures that individuals have certain protections that cannot be infringed upon by the government, thus reinforcing the concept of limited government.

The other aspects mentioned, such as establishing government structures or outlining impeachment processes, do not directly relate to the core purpose of the Bill of Rights. While the Constitution does deal with the organization of government and the impeachment process, these elements are not the focus of the Bill of Rights, which is fundamentally about protecting personal freedoms and rights. Similarly, while the relationship between federal and state governments is discussed in other parts of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights itself specifically concentrates on individual liberties, making its main purpose clear and focused.