What does the Bill of Rights encompass?

The Bill of Rights refers specifically to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and they were created to guarantee specific freedoms and rights to individuals, placing limits on government power. The amendments address various aspects of individual liberties, including the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press, the right to bear arms, the rights of the accused, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Understanding the scope of the Bill of Rights is essential for grasping how it impacts civil liberties in the United States. The inclusion of just the first ten amendments highlights the foundational aspects of American law and governance, reflecting the concerns of the Founding Fathers regarding the necessity to protect individual rights from government infringement.