What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were introduced to guarantee specific freedoms and rights to individuals. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, primarily in response to concerns from anti-federalists who feared that the new Constitution, which created a stronger federal government, might infringe on individual liberties.

The Bill of Rights encompasses critical protections, including the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press, the right to bear arms, and the right to due process. Each amendment seeks to limit the powers of the government and ensure the protection of personal freedoms, which is fundamental to the American democratic system.

In contrast, the Articles of Confederation were the original framework for governing the United States prior to the Constitution and do not include these amendments. The Federalist Papers were a series of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, and they discuss the need for a stronger national government rather than detailing individual rights. The Civil Rights Amendments refer to later amendments that address civil rights specifically, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which focus on the abolition of slavery, citizenship, and voting rights, and are distinct from the foundational protections established in