What is the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights is the name given to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments were ratified in 1791 and were designed to protect the individual rights of American citizens by limiting the power of the federal government. The Bill of Rights encompasses essential civil liberties such as the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the rights to assemble, bear arms, and protect oneself from unreasonable searches and seizures.

This foundational document was a response to the concerns raised by the Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate of the Constitution, who argued that the new Constitution did not sufficiently protect the rights of individuals. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights helped to address these fears and ensure that personal freedoms would be respected and upheld under the new government framework.

The other options reflect different aspects of U.S. history but do not accurately define the Bill of Rights. A declaration of independence from Great Britain refers to the Declaration of Independence, while treaties with Native Americans would pertain to agreements made throughout U.S. history. Lastly, the original Constitution refers to the governing document established in 1787, which does not contain the specific protections for individual rights found in the Bill of Rights.