What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. This term specifically refers to these amendments, which were ratified in 1791 to guarantee essential rights and civil liberties to individuals. The Bill of Rights addresses fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the rights of the accused in criminal cases, among others.

This designation emphasizes the significance of protecting individual rights against potential government overreach. The other options, while significant documents in American history, do not pertain specifically to these amendments. The Constitution as a whole is the foundational legal document of the United States, while the Declaration of Independence is the statement asserting the colonies' separation from British rule. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States but have since been replaced by the current Constitution. Therefore, the Bill of Rights is the precise term that identifies these crucial amendments that safeguard personal freedoms.