The purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• A. To protect the rights of the people in America
• B. To empower the federal government
• C. To regulate commerce
• D. To establish a standing army

Answer: (A)

At its heart, the Bill of Rights aims to protect people’s fundamental liberties by limiting what the federal government can do. It was added to reassure citizens that basic freedoms—such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press; the right to assembly; protections against unreasonable searches and seizures; due process and fair trials, including the right to counsel—would be safeguarded from governmental overreach. The emphasis is on constraining government powers rather than expanding them, which is why it does not serve to empower the federal government, regulate commerce, or establish a standing army. Over time, its protections have also been understood to limit state action through incorporation, extending these rights to individuals across the country.