What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights serves a crucial role in American democracy by providing the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments were added to the Constitution to ensure the protection of individual liberties and rights against potential government overreach. The Bill of Rights guarantees fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and rights related to fair trials, among others.

This framework was essential for addressing the concerns of many founding figures and citizens who feared that a strong central government might infringe upon their basic freedoms. By explicitly enumerating these rights, the Bill of Rights not only safeguards individual liberties but also affirms the principles of limited government and the rule of law, which are foundational to the United States Constitution.