Final answer:
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect individual freedoms, such as freedom of speech and religion, from government interference. It applies to both federal and state governments and is a cornerstone of American legal and cultural values.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that protect individual freedoms. These amendments were a result of a joint resolution between the House and Senate, where twelve amendments were initially proposed.
However, only ten were ratified and became known as the Bill of Rights in 1791. The Bill of Rights is critical because it protects the freedoms of individuals from interference by the government. For example, it includes fundamental liberties like freedom of speech, press, religion, or assembly.
Originally, the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government, but following the Civil War and the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment, the rights were gradually incorporated to limit state governments as well.
The incorporation of civil liberties through the Bill of Rights has been an ongoing process with the Supreme Court playing a pivotal role in its interpretation and application.
The influence of the English Bill of Rights of 1689 is evident in the United States Bill of Rights, especially the concepts of life, liberty, and property that were championed by John Locke. Together with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the Bill of Rights is foundational in shaping American values and the relationship between the government and the people it serves.