What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The primary purpose of the Bill of Rights is to limit government powers over individual freedoms. This collection of first ten amendments to the Constitution was specifically introduced to ensure and protect the personal liberties of citizens against potential government overreach. By enumerating specific rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as rights to assembly and petition, the Bill of Rights acts as a safeguard for individual liberties, ensuring that the government cannot infringe upon these fundamental rights without due process.

While the Constitution establishes the overarching framework of the government and its powers, the Bill of Rights serves as a critical addition aimed directly at the protection of individual freedoms. It was created partly in response to concerns that the original Constitution did not sufficiently address the inherent rights of individuals, highlighting the importance of having explicit protections against governmental abuse.