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

• A. The Bill of Rights
• B. The Civil Rights Act
• C. The Federalist Papers
• D. The Preamble

Answer: (A)

The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights. They were added to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government, codifying fundamental rights you rely on every day—like freedom of speech, religion, and the press, along with protections for due process and against unreasonable searches and seizures. They were ratified in 1791 as part of how the Constitution was amended to safeguard civil liberties.

Other options refer to different things: the Civil Rights Act is a later law that addresses discrimination; the Federalist Papers are essays arguing for ratifying the Constitution; and the Preamble is the introductory statement at the very start of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights is the correct name for the first ten amendments.