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

The term for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution is known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were ratified in 1791 and are foundational to American law as they detail essential rights and liberties that protect individuals from government overreach, including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to a fair trial, among others.

The Bill of Rights was created to address the concerns of Anti-Federalists who feared that the new Constitution did not provide enough protections for individual rights. Its inclusion helped facilitate the ratification of the Constitution as it reassured many that the federal government would not infringe upon personal freedoms. Understanding the importance of the Bill of Rights is critical, as it underscores the government's obligations to uphold and protect the rights of its citizens.