Which amendment was created to prevent state governments from trespassing on the rights of individual citizens?

The correct choice is the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868. This amendment plays a crucial role in protecting individual rights by establishing that no state shall make or enforce any law that abridges the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, or deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The Fourteenth Amendment essentially serves as a safeguard against state actions that might infringe upon individual rights, ensuring that citizens enjoy protections at both the federal and state levels. It has been a foundational element in various landmark Supreme Court cases that have expanded civil rights.

In contrast, the other amendments serve different purposes. The Fourth Amendment centers on protecting citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, the Tenth Amendment states the powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people, and the First Amendment is focused primarily on protecting freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. None of these address the specific issue of preventing state encroachments on individual rights in the comprehensive manner the Fourteenth Amendment does.