What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The purpose of the Bill of Rights is fundamentally to protect individual rights. Ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution and specifically safeguards various personal freedoms and rights against government infringement. These amendments provide clear guarantees of essential rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to a fair trial, among others.

This focus on protecting individual rights stems from the founders' desire to ensure that the new government would not become oppressive or infringe on the liberties of its citizens, reflecting a core principle of democracy that emphasizes personal freedoms. By delineating these rights, the Bill of Rights serves as a critical component in maintaining the balance between governmental power and individual liberty, highlighting its vital role in American constitutional law.

The other options relate to different aspects of the Constitution, such as government structure or powers, rather than emphasizing the crucial role that the Bill of Rights plays in upholding individual freedoms.