The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

• A. U.S. Constitution
• B. Northwest Ordinance
• C. Articles of Confederation
• D. Bill of Rights

Answer: (D)

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. This set was added to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government, addressing concerns that the new framework might threaten basic rights. Ratified in 1791, it outlines protections such as speaking freely, practicing religion, and assembling; rights of the accused; protections against unreasonable searches and cruel or unusual punishment; and guarantees of due process and trial by jury, among others.

The other options don’t fit because they refer to broader or unrelated documents: the U.S. Constitution itself is the entire framework, not just the ten amendments; the Northwest Ordinance dealt with organizing new territories; and the Articles of Confederation was the earlier framework that governed the states before the Constitution.