What is the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights refers specifically to the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791. These amendments were added to ensure the protection of certain fundamental rights and freedoms for individuals and limit the powers of the federal government. The Bill of Rights addresses various issues such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the rights of accused persons, among others.

Understanding that the Bill of Rights consists of ten amendments is crucial for recognizing its significance in the framework of American law and civil liberties. It forms a vital part of the Constitution because it lays the groundwork for the rights and freedoms that protect individuals from government overreach. The notion that it includes only five amendments, or that it is merely the preamble, does not capture the comprehensive nature of this significant addition to the Constitution. Moreover, identifying it as the last amendments of the Constitution would overlook the fact that additional amendments have been ratified since the Bill of Rights was established.