What does the Bill of Rights guarantee to American citizens?

The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, was established to protect the fundamental liberties and rights of American citizens. These amendments guarantee essential freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press, as well as protections against unfair legal practices, such as unreasonable searches and seizures and cruel and unusual punishment.

By specifying these basic rights, the Bill of Rights serves to ensure that individuals maintain essential liberties that the government cannot infringe upon. This foundational aspect of American democracy reflects the belief in personal freedoms and civil liberties as core principles of the nation. The importance of these rights is underscored by their establishment as amendments to the Constitution, which also illustrates the framers' intention to safeguard citizens' rights from potential government overreach.

The other choices do not pertain to the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Increased military power, tax exemptions, and trade agreements relate to areas of governance or economics rather than individual freedoms and rights. This distinction helps clarify the essential purpose and significance of the Bill of Rights in the context of American civic life.