What document, primarily drafted by Madison, includes the first ten amendments protecting against government abuses?

The Bill of Rights is the correct answer because it comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which were drafted primarily by James Madison in 1789. These amendments were designed to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government, addressing the concerns of Anti-Federalists who feared that the Constitution did not provide sufficient safeguards for personal freedoms. The Bill of Rights includes key protections such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others. This document was essential in gaining the support of many states for ratification of the Constitution, as it assured citizens that their rights would be explicitly protected.

In contrast, the Constitution itself is the overarching framework for the government but does not contain these specific protections in its original form. The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, were focused more on establishing a loose alliance of states and did not effectively protect individual rights or provide for a strong federal government. The Declaration of Independence, while a pivotal document asserting the colonies' reasons for breaking away from British rule, does not include amendments or stipulations regarding government powers or individual rights.