Final answer:
Critics of the new U.S. Constitution were concerned about the lack of a Bill of Rights, fearing it posed a threat to individual liberties and did not sufficiently protect against a strong central government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critics of the new constitution were concerned about the lack of a list of individual liberties, known as a Bill of Rights. This concern stemmed from fears of a strong central government and the potential threat to the rights and liberties of U.S. citizens. The constitution, drafted in 1787, did not include a Bill of Rights, which many state governments had provided for in various forms, such as jury trials and religious tolerance. Notably, prominent figures like George Mason and Patrick Henry opposed ratification of the Constitution in states like Virginia, which had a very comprehensive declaration of rights already in place. It wasn't until the promise to add a Bill of Rights that many states agreed to ratify the Constitution.