How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and were designed to protect individual liberties and rights against potential government overreach. They include fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, the right to bear arms, and protections against unlawful searches and seizures, among others.

Understanding the historical context is essential; the Bill of Rights was created to address the concerns of many Anti-Federalists who feared that a strong central government might infringe upon personal freedoms. The first ten amendments specifically enumerate these rights and serve as a cornerstone of American democracy and law.

The other numbers listed in the choices reflect either amendments that were not part of the original Bill of Rights or include more amendments that were added later to the Constitution, beyond the initial ten. Thus, the correct answer demonstrating an understanding of the foundational amendments meant to protect citizens' rights is ten.