What is the main purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The main purpose of the Bill of Rights is to ensure individual liberties and rights. This set of first ten amendments to the Constitution was ratified specifically to protect the rights of citizens against potential government overreach. The framers of the Constitution recognized that without explicit protections, certain fundamental freedoms—such as the freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the freedom of religion, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures—could be threatened by the new government.

This focus on individual rights was particularly important in addressing the concerns of Anti-Federalists, who feared that a strong central government might infringe upon the personal freedoms of American citizens. By enshrining these rights in the Bill of Rights, the Constitution sought to create a framework that respected and upheld the personal liberties of individuals while still establishing a functioning government.

In contrast, the other options pertain to structural aspects of the government itself. Defining the structure of government, outlining the legislative process, and establishing checks and balances all relate to how the government operates and interacts, rather than directly safeguarding individual liberties.