What principle does the Bill of Rights primarily protect?

The Bill of Rights primarily protects the individual rights of citizens. Ratified in 1791, these first ten amendments to the United States Constitution were created to ensure specific freedoms and protections for individuals against government overreach. They encompass fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, the rights of the accused, and other critical civil liberties.

This focus on individual rights serves as a safeguard for citizens, providing them with protections that promote personal freedoms and limit governmental power. By prioritizing these individual rights, the Bill of Rights aims to establish a foundation for a just society that respects personal autonomy and ensures that citizens are treated fairly by the state.