Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

Which document primarily outlines the rights of citizens in the United States?

1. The Federalist Papers

2. The Declaration of Independence

3. The Bill of Rights

4. The Articles of Confederation

The correct answer is: The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the document that primarily outlines the rights of citizens in the United States. Ratified in 1791, it consists of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and is crucial because it enumerates specific rights and liberties that are guaranteed to individuals, including freedoms such as speech, press, and religion, as well as protection from unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to a fair trial. This document was created in response to concerns about the potential for government overreach and tyranny, as many citizens at the time feared that the newly formed federal government might infringe on their personal freedoms. The Bill of Rights explicitly safeguards individual rights, assuring citizens that their freedoms are protected under law. In contrast, the others mentioned do not focus primarily on outlining the rights of citizens. The Federalist Papers were essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and to explain its principles. The Declaration of Independence, while it does state some foundational rights, mainly serves as a statement of separation from British rule rather than a legal guarantee of individual rights. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States but provided little in the way of individual rights and was deemed too weak to effectively govern the nation.