What purpose do the first ten amendments serve in the Constitution?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, serve primarily to protect individual liberties. These amendments were created in response to concerns that the original Constitution did not sufficiently safeguard the rights of citizens against potential government overreach.

The Bill of Rights includes fundamental protections such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to a fair trial, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others. These amendments ensure that certain inalienable rights are explicitly recognized and protected from infringement by the federal government. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights was crucial in gaining the support of the Anti-Federalists during the ratification debates, as they feared that a strong central government might abuse its powers and infringe upon individual freedoms.

By focusing specifically on civil liberties, the Bill of Rights plays a pivotal role in shaping the relationship between the individual and the government, emphasizing that certain rights are inherent and must be preserved.