Final answer:
Anti-Federalists were opponents of the ratification of the 1787 Constitution, concerned that a strong central government would overpower states, favor the wealthy elite, and neglect a bill of rights protecting individual freedoms. They drew from their experiences under British rule to caution against the potential for centralized tyranny.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anti-Federalist Concerns about a Strong Central Government
The Anti-Federalists were a group of individuals who opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution due to their concerns over the creation of a strong central government. These opponents feared that with a larger federal government, the states would lose power and local autonomy, which was essential in their view of democracy. Anti-Federalists were particularly wary that such a government would favor the interests of the wealthy elite over the common good and infringe upon individual liberties.
They believed that a strong central government could not adequately represent the diverse interests of a large republic and that it would undermine the virtue required for self-governance, which was more likely to be found in smaller, more homogeneous communities. Furthermore, the Anti-Federalists argued that a bill of rights was necessary to protect individual freedoms against any potential tyranny from the federal government.
Their opposition was rooted in the experience of British colonial rule, where a distant government imposed its will on the colonies. Some notable Anti-Federalists included figures such as Patrick Henry, who stressed the dangers of changing the existing Articles of Confederation, and George Mason, who criticized the potential for a single executive to have too much power.