What are the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution collectively called?

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are collectively called the Bill of Rights.

The amendments were proposed by the First Congress in 1789 and ratified by the states in 1791. They were added partly in response to Anti-Federalist concerns that the original Constitution did not adequately protect individual liberties or limit federal power.

The Bill of Rights protects freedoms including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. It also addresses arms, searches, criminal procedure, due process, juries, and powers not delegated to the federal government. The amendments were influenced by earlier English and colonial rights traditions.

The Bill of Rights is sometimes confused with the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration announced separation from Great Britain in 1776; the Bill of Rights amended the Constitution after the federal government was established. Congress originally proposed twelve amendments, but only ten were ratified in 1791.