University of Central Florida (UCF) POS2041 American National Government Midterm 1 Practice Exam

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. This term specifically refers to these amendments that were ratified in 1791, intended to guarantee individual liberties and protect citizens from potential governmental overreach. The Bill of Rights was a crucial compromise between Federalists, who supported the Constitution as it was originally drafted, and Anti-Federalists, who sought greater protections for individual rights.

The amendments cover a range of rights, including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, and rights in criminal cases, among others. This foundational set of amendments has played a critical role in American law and society, informing legal interpretations and individual rights discussions throughout the country's history.

The other choices refer to different historical documents or concepts. Constitutional Amendments is a broad term that includes not only the Bill of Rights but also any amendments added to the Constitution after the first ten. The Articles of Confederation was the initial governing document of the United States before the Constitution and established a different framework for government. The Declaration of Independence is a separate document that proclaimed the colonies' independence from Great Britain and outlined fundamental principles of government and human rights.