What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution known as?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. This term refers specifically to the amendments that were ratified to ensure protections of individual liberties and rights against governmental infringement. The Bill of Rights was introduced to address the concerns of those who feared that the new Constitution did not adequately safeguard personal freedoms, particularly following debates during the ratification process.

These amendments encompass critical protections such as freedom of speech, religion, the right to bear arms, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others. The intention behind these amendments is to limit the powers of the federal government and to protect the rights of citizens, thereby reinforcing the principles of democracy and individual rights that are foundational to the Constitution.

Understanding this context helps clarify why the Bill of Rights serves as a significant element in American legal and cultural frameworks, laying the groundwork for the ongoing discourse around rights and liberties in the United States.