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

Why This Matters

This question tests whether you know the name given to the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The answer is the Bill of Rights. The USCIS interviewer expects you to know this term because the Bill of Rights is one of the most celebrated parts of the Constitution and a cornerstone of American freedom.

When the Constitution was first written in 1787, some people worried that it gave the new federal government too much power. They feared that without specific protections written down, the government might take away individual freedoms. Several states refused to ratify the Constitution until they were promised that a list of rights would be added. James Madison drafted these amendments, and they were ratified in 1791.

The Bill of Rights includes protections that affect daily life in America. It guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to a fair trial, and protection against unreasonable searches, among other things. For new citizens, understanding the Bill of Rights means understanding the specific freedoms that the United States promises to every person living here.

Key Facts

• The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, just three years after the Constitution took effect
• James Madison, who later became the fourth President, is considered the primary author of the Bill of Rights
• The Bill of Rights originally applied only to the federal government, but later court decisions extended most of its protections to state governments as well
• The 1st Amendment protects five freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government
• The 10th Amendment reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states or the people

Common Mistakes

• Saying "the Constitution" when asked specifically about the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution, but it has its own specific name
• Thinking the Bill of Rights includes all 27 amendments, it only covers the first ten
• Confusing the Bill of Rights with the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration announced independence from Britain and does not list constitutional protections

Study Tip

The word "bill" can mean a list. The Bill of Rights is simply a list of rights. Picture a shopping receipt that lists the ten most important freedoms Americans have. First ten amendments, list of rights, Bill of Rights. That simple connection will help you remember.