What is the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights refers specifically to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which were ratified in 1791. These amendments were created to guarantee fundamental individual freedoms and protections for citizens against government infringement. They include rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press; the right to assemble; the right to bear arms; protection against unreasonable searches and seizures; and rights related to criminal prosecutions, such as the right to a fair trial.

This foundational document is crucial in framing the relationship between the government and individual citizens, ensuring that essential liberties are safeguarded. Understanding this concept is central to grasping the broader principles of democracy and rights enshrined within the United States legal framework. The other options describe different aspects of governance or rights that are not specifically related to the Bill of Rights. For instance, state powers are covered by other parts of the Constitution, citizen responsibilities are outlined in different contexts, and voting rights are addressed through various amendments but do not encompass the entirety of the Bill of Rights.