Question Prior to the incorporation doctrine both levels of government (state and federal) protected citizens liberties via the Bill of Rights.

The given statement is a false statement.

Explanation:

Prior to the doctrine, the Bill of Rights was applied only to the Federal Government and not to the state government, however, could adopt but there was no obligation to do.

The Supreme Court has established the doctrine to protections of the Bill of Rights apply to every level of government, including state not just the federal. This incorporation first time established in the case Gitlow v. New York (1925), in which the Court expressly held that States were bound to protect freedom of speech as well.