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 the amendments that were ratified in 1791 to guarantee individual rights and limit the power of the federal government. The Bill of Rights was introduced to ensure protection for various personal freedoms, such as the freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial, among others.

The significance of the Bill of Rights lies in its role as a foundational element of American democracy, reflecting the concerns of the founding fathers about the potential for government overreach and the importance of protecting individual liberties.

In contrast, the other terms mentioned do not accurately refer to these ten amendments. The Constitutional Amendments encompass all amendments made to the Constitution, not exclusively the first ten. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution but are not amendments themselves. The Declaration of Independence is a separate historical document that announced the American colonies' separation from British rule and also does not relate to the amendments.