What is a significant consequence of the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, serves to safeguard individual liberties and limit governmental power. The primary significance of these amendments is their role in explicitly protecting citizens from potential abuses by the government. This collection of rights includes fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The emphasis on protection against governmental infringement on personal liberties illustrates a foundational principle in American democracy: that individual rights are paramount and should not be violated by governmental action. This commitment to protecting personal liberties has also been vital in shaping judicial interpretation and civil rights movements throughout U.S. history.

In this context, the other options do not align with the purpose of the Bill of Rights. The expansion of federal government powers contradicts the Bill of Rights' intent to limit government reach. Limiting individual freedoms would undermine the very goals of these amendments. Similarly, a requirement for mandatory military service does not relate to the protections established by the Bill of Rights, which primarily focus on civil liberties rather than obligations to the state.