What was the biggest Anti-Federalist complaint against the 1787 Constitution?
Asked by: Margarette Ryan | Last update: July 27, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (49 votes)
Read about their arguments below. Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments. Many felt that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen.
What was the biggest Anti-Federalist complaint about the proposed Constitution of 1787?
The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution because they feared that the new national government would be too powerful and thus threaten individual liberties, given the absence of a bill of rights.
What was the biggest objection of the Anti-Federalists to the Constitution?
What was a major objection to the Constitution by the Antifederalists? They objected to the Constitution because it did not include a bill of rights.
What was the Anti-Federalists greatest concern about the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the new Constitution gave the national government too much power. And that this new government—led by a new group of distant, out-of-touch political elites—would: Seize all political power. Swallow up the states—the governments that were closest to the people themselves.
What was an Anti-Federalist in 1787?
Anti-Federalism was a late-18th-century political movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. The previous constitution, called the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, gave state governments more authority.
Constitutional Convention: Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
What was a problem for the Federalists in 1788?
In 1788, a significant problem for the Federalists was option C: Many states were not ready to ratify the Constitution. After the U.S. Constitution was drafted in 1787, it was sent to the states for ratification. However, many of the states were hesitant to approve it.
What did the anti-federalist papers argue?
They argued against the implementation of a stronger federal government without protections on certain rights. The Anti-Federalist papers failed to halt the ratification of the Constitution but they succeeded in influencing the first assembly of the United States Congress to draft the Bill of Rights.
What was the strongest argument the Anti-Federalists made against the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments.
What was the great debate in 1787?
There were two sides to the Great Debate: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists wanted to ratify the Constitution, the Anti-Federalists did not. One of the major issues these two parties debated concerned the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.
What was the biggest concern for the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?
The Federalists contended that a stronger central government would provide a solid base from which New York could grow and prosper. The anti-Federalists clamored for a bill of rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments.
What happened in June 1788?
On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification, however, was a long and arduous process.
Which of these statements would an Anti-Federalist most likely agree with?
Answer Created with AI
Given this background, an Anti-Federalist would most likely agree with the statement: "The Constitution gives too much power to a distant national government."
What was James Madison's nickname?
He was called the 'Father of the Constitution' because of his work writing the Federalist Papers, drafting the Virginia plan, and representing Virginia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. His detractors derisively called him 'Little Jemmy' or 'His Little Majesty' because he was very short.
What was the biggest issue at the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
A central issue at the Convention was whether the federal government or the states would have more power. Many delegates believed that the federal government should be able to overrule state laws, but others feared that a strong federal government would oppress their citizens.
What were Anti-Federalists' major objections to the Constitution?
The Supremacy Clause generated significant controversy during debates over the Constitution's ratification. Anti-Federalist opponents of the Constitution argued that the Clause would make the national government overly powerful and infringe on state sovereignty.
What was the strongest criticism of the Constitution?
Five of their most significant objections to the Constitution are summarized in the excerpts that follow: that replacement of the Articles of Confederation was unnecessary; that the new government would give rise to a privileged aristocracy; that a stronger central government would obliterate the states; that a large, ...
What was the most important event in 1787?
U.S. Constitution Signed
The Convention approved the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and it was ratified on July 2, 1788 after nine states had approved it.
What were the major disagreements between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification period over the need to amend the proposed Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued for the value of limited central government, whereas Federalists maintained that natural rights to life, liberty, and property would be best protected under a strong central government.
Which statement would an Anti-Federalist have supported in the period 1787-1788?
What statement would an Anti-Federalist have supported in the period 1787-1788? Allow individual states the power to interpret federal laws.
On what issue did Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagree most strongly?
Federalists were those who favored the Constitution and a more powerful national republic. Anti-Federalists were those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution and advocated for the small, localized government.
What was the significance of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
The United States Constitution that emerged from the convention established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments.
What was the biggest Anti-Federalist grievance with the 1787 Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the Constitution gave the new national government too much power and that this new government—led by a new group of distant, out-of-touch political elites—would seize all political power; swallow up the states—the governments that were closest to the people themselves; and abuse the ...
What is Anti-Federalist in simple terms?
Anti-Federalists were characterized primarily by their opposition to a strong federal government. The Anti-Federalist definition emphasizes opposition to a strong, and therefore potentially oppressive, federal government.
Why did Patrick Henry oppose the Constitution?
Henry feared Constitution would give federal government too much power.