The Conventions of a number of the States.having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent __ abuse of its powers,that further __ restrictive clauses should be added. -Preamble to the Bill of Rights, Constitution of the United States According to this excerpt what was the main purp of ratifying the Bill of Rights? to adopt the Constitution to prevent the abuse of powers to create a convention to restrict rights

## Step 1<br />The problem presents an excerpt from the Preamble to the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the United States. The excerpt discusses the desire of the states to prevent the abuse of powers by adding restrictive clauses.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The question asks for the main purpose of ratifying the Bill of Rights. The options provided are: to adopt the Constitution, to prevent the abuse of powers, to create a convention, and to restrict rights.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />By analyzing the excerpt, it is clear that the main purpose of ratifying the Bill of Rights was to prevent the abuse of powers. This is explicitly stated in the excerpt, where it mentions the desire to prevent abuse of powers by adding restrictive clauses.