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 added to the Constitution in order to guarantee individual freedoms and protect citizens from government overreach. Ratified in 1791, these amendments provide essential liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to bear arms, among others. The Bill of Rights was introduced to address concerns raised by the Anti-Federalists regarding the potential for a strong central government to infringe on personal rights.

In contrast, the Articles of Confederation were the original constitution that governed the United States before the current Constitution was adopted, focusing more on the states' powers than individual rights. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution and explaining its principles but do not constitute amendments themselves. The Constitution Act does not specifically refer to the first ten amendments but may describe different legislative acts concerning constitutional law. Thus, the Bill of Rights stands out as the correct designation for these foundational amendments.