What term refers to the first ten amendments of the Constitution?

The correct term that refers to the first ten amendments of the Constitution is known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were added to the Constitution to ensure the protection of individual liberties and rights against potential government overreach. Ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights was a crucial component in addressing the concerns of Anti-Federalists who feared that the new Constitution did not provide sufficient safeguards for personal freedoms.

The inclusion of these amendments was significant as it established fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others. This foundational document plays a vital role in American law and civil liberties, serving as a critical reference point in legal interpretations and debates surrounding citizens' rights.

Other choices refer to different historical documents or frameworks. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, but they were replaced by the current Constitution due to their inefficiencies. The Declaration of Independence is the document that announced the colonies' separation from Great Britain and outlined the ideals of individual rights and government by consent. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays that promoted the ratification of the Constitution, providing insight into the framers' intentions but are not amendments themselves.