Final answer:
The close battle for ratification in Virginia was due to the Antifederalists' opposition, fearing centralized power and lack of individual rights protections, leading to the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fight over ratification in Virginia was indeed a close one, chiefly due to strong opposition from Antifederalists. This group, which included influential leaders like Patrick Henry, raised concerns about the new central government's potential power and the lack of specific protections for individual rights. They were wary that without individual state acknowledgments in the Constitution, states would lose their sovereignty and power. The Antifederalists feared a national authority that might become tyrannical, mirroring the recent experiences with British rule. The debates famously culminated in a compromise, with the adoption of a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties, leading to Virginia's eventual ratification of the Constitution on June 25th.