Question

early interpretations of incorporation
congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
which word or phrase indicates that incorporation was not yet in practice following the ratification of the bill of rights?
□ congress
□ establishment of religion
□ prohibiting
□ free exercise

Explanation:

Incorporation applies the Bill of Rights to state governments. The word "Congress" in the First Amendment (the quoted text) shows the restriction was only on Congress, not states, meaning incorporation (applying to states) wasn't in practice yet—since the amendment was directed at Congress, not state governments initially. Other options like "establishment of religion", "prohibiting", or "free exercise" relate to religious rights content, not the scope of enforcement (which "Congress" reveals as limited to federal, not state, action initially).

Answer:

A. Congress