Question

The Anti-Federalists argued against ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they-

Answer 1

The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution due to concerns about the concentration of power and the lack of a Bill of Rights. They believed that a strong federal government would prioritize the interests of the wealthy and could potentially infringe on individual liberties.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Anti-Federalists argued against ratification of the U.S. Constitution primarily because they believed it conferred too much power to the federal government and did not include a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

The Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry and Melancton Smith, expressed concerns that a strong central government would favor the wealthy and undermine state sovereignty.

They believed that the Constitution should include a Bill of Rights to safeguard the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens and prevent the potential abuse of power by the federal government.

Answer 2

The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they feared it created a strong central government that could endanger personal liberties, preferred stronger state governments, and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Anti-Federalists articulated a series of concerns regarding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Primarily, they feared that the Constitution would establish a strong central government, which could become tyrannical and infringe upon the rights and liberties of citizens. Rhode Island and North Carolina notably rejected the Constitution initially, as it did not include a specific Bill of Rights. Anti-Federalists like Melancton Smith and Patrick Henry worried about the potential creation of a political aristocracy and the possible neglect of the middle and lower classes by a powerful federal system.

Additionally, Anti-Federalists emphasized the need for stronger state governments over a robust national government. They were concerned that the proposed government would centralize power too heavily, reminiscent of British colonial rule. Many insisted that a Bill of Rights was necessary to protect individuals from a potential dictator. The debates on these topics were intense, and while the Federalists ultimately succeeded in ratifying the Constitution, the Anti-Federalist push for a Bill of Rights was successful, leading to its inclusion as the first ten amendments to the Constitution.