What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. This term refers specifically to the amendments that were ratified to guarantee individual liberties and protections against government overreach, addressing the concerns of Anti-Federalists who feared that the original Constitution granted too much power to the federal government. The Bill of Rights includes fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial, shaping the framework for American civil liberties.

In contrast to the Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document of the United States prior to the current Constitution and does not pertain to individual rights. The Declaration of Rights is often used in various contexts but does not refer specifically to these first ten amendments. Lastly, the Preamble is the introductory part of the Constitution outlining its purpose, but it does not contain amendments or rights. Hence, the identification of these amendments as the Bill of Rights is both historically and contextually accurate.