Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

• A. To explain the structure of government.
• B. To protect individual liberties and limit federal power.
• C. To regulate commerce.
• D. To expand federal power.

Answer: (B)

The Bill of Rights was added to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government. When the Constitution was written, some people feared a strong national government could threaten basic freedoms. The first ten amendments spell out essential protections—such as free speech, religious liberty, a fair trial, and protections against unreasonable searches—that limit what the government can do to or against citizens. This reassurance helped build broader support for the new framework by addressing worries about tyranny and ensuring that certain rights would be protected from federal overreach. It’s not about explaining how the government is organized, nor about regulating trade, and it does the opposite of expanding federal power by listing what the government cannot do.