Final answer:
Option (C), The fundamental difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists was their perspective on the central government's role, with Federalists supporting a strong federal government and Anti-Federalists advocating for individual freedoms and state power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major difference that separates the Federalists and Anti-Federalists is C) Views on centralized government. The Federalists advocated for a strong central or federal government that had the power to regulate the economy and believed it was necessary for national stability and growth. They were led by notable figures such as Alexander Hamilton and John Adams and supported things like the creation of a national bank and broad interpretation of the Constitution.
On the contrary, the Anti-Federalists feared that a strong central government would lead to a loss of individual freedoms and state power. They preferred a more decentralized form of government, maintaining that state legislatures were better suited to protect the rights of the people. Prominent Anti-Federalists included Patrick Henry and Melancton Smith, who argued that power should rest with the people, particularly the small farmers of average wealth, rather than with a political aristocracy.