Why was the Bill of Rights less powerful in the 19th century?

A. The question of rights and freedoms in new states was unresolved.

B. Economic hardships put issues of individual freedom to the side temporarily.

C. The Supreme Court ruled that it only applied to the federal government.

D. The Supreme Court resisted making any rulings on the Bill of Rights.

Question

History

Peyton Harris

4 January, 22:10

Why was the Bill of Rights less powerful in the 19th century?

A. The question of rights and freedoms in new states was unresolved.

B. Economic hardships put issues of individual freedom to the side temporarily.

C. The Supreme Court ruled that it only applied to the federal government.

D. The Supreme Court resisted making any rulings on the Bill of Rights.

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Answers (1)

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Kaylyn Calhoun · Answer 1

C is the correct answer.

Prior to the 14th Amendment, the view of the Supreme Court, as articulated in Barron v. Baltimore, was that the Bill of Rights only applied to the Federal Government.

After the 14th Amendment, the rights articulated in the Bill of Rights began to be understood as applying to the States as well.