Question

Three delegates refused to sign the new constitution because they feared:

a. It gave the national government too much power
b. It lacked sufficient checks and balances
c. It did not protect individual rights
d. It did not address economic concerns

Answer 1

Three delegates refused to sign the Constitution due to concerns that it did not protect individual rights, leading to the promise of a Bill of Rights to ensure ratification by certain states.

Step-by-step explanation:

Three delegates refused to sign the newly drafted Constitution because they feared that it did not adequately protect individual rights. Notably, George Mason of Virginia, a staunch proponent of civil liberties and author of Virginia's Declaration of Rights, was among the delegates who declined to sign. The lack of a specific list of protected rights was a pressing concern for many Anti-Federalists during the time, leading to the promise of a Bill of Rights to ensure ratification by certain states.

The main point of contention for the opposition, which included influential figures like Patrick Henry, was that the Constitution proposed a too strong central government without enough guarantees for personal freedoms.

This fear was echoed by numerous states, which agreed to ratify the Constitution only with the stipulation that a Bill of Rights would be promptly added, reflecting the essential demand for safeguarding individual liberties.