What are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution called?

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. This set of amendments was ratified in 1791 and was designed to protect the individual liberties of American citizens against potential government overreach. The Bill of Rights includes fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to bear arms, and rights related to criminal prosecutions, among others.

Understanding the significance of the Bill of Rights is crucial for grasping the foundation of American democracy, as it embodies the principles of individual freedom and civil liberties that were integral to the founding of the nation. The other choices represent different historical documents or concepts that do not pertain to this specific set of amendments. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States but are distinct from the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence is a separate foundational text that announced the colonies' separation from Great Britain. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays arguing for the ratification of the Constitution but do not themselves represent amendments to the Constitution.