What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are referred to as the Bill of Rights. This designation is significant because these amendments were introduced to guarantee essential freedoms and rights to individuals, serving as a safeguard against potential government overreach. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 and encompasses fundamental protections such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and the rights of defendants in criminal cases, among others.

The other choices represent different historical documents or frameworks. The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States before the current Constitution, outlining a system of government that ultimately proved inadequate. The Declaration of Independence is a separate document that proclaimed the colonies' independence from British rule in 1776. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution, clarifying its principles and the rationale behind its provisions. Each of these serves a different purpose in American history, emphasizing the unique context and importance of the Bill of Rights in protecting individual liberties.