What legal action did Lincoln suspend that prevents the arrest of an individual without probable cause?

The correct answer is the suspension of habeas corpus. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln took the extraordinary measure of suspending the writ of habeas corpus, which is a legal safeguard that protects individuals from being arrested and detained without sufficient cause or evidence. By suspending this right, Lincoln aimed to maintain order and suppress dissent in areas of conflict, particularly in regions sympathetic to the Confederacy. This action allowed the military to detain suspected traitors and maintain public safety, but it also raised significant constitutional concerns regarding civil liberties and the extent of executive power during wartime.

The other options do not pertain to the specific legal context of habeas corpus. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, but these rights are not typically suspended by presidential action. The Declaratory Act is related to British colonial policy rather than American civil liberties. Due Process refers to the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, but it does not specifically address the suspension of habeas corpus during times of national crisis.