Question

What three clauses within the us constitution aim to protect individual liberties and limit power of the federal government?

Answer 1

The US Constitution protects individual liberties and limits federal government power through clauses preventing the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the passage of bills of attainder, and the enactment of ex post facto laws, further bolstered by the protections outlined in the Bill of Rights.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three clauses within the US Constitution that aim to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government are:

1. The Writ of Habeas Corpus - Article I, Section 9 prohibits the suspension of the writ except under extreme conditions such as rebellion or invasion. This clause ensures that an individual detained by the government must be brought before a court to determine the legality of the detention.
2. Bills of Attainder - Article I, Section 9 also prohibits the passage of bills of attainder by Congress. A bill of attainder is a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial, which would infringe on individual freedoms.
3. Ex Post Facto Laws - Alongside the other provisions, Article I, Section 9 forbids Congress from passing ex post facto laws, which make an act illegal retroactively after it was committed. This protection helps ensure fairness and prevents arbitrary punishment.

Additionally, the Bill of Rights further reinforces these protections by delineating individual rights such as freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly, and preventing government infringement on these rights.