What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists during the ratification of the Constitution?
Asked by: Savanna Quigley | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (75 votes)
The main concern of the Anti-Federalists was that the proposed Constitution created an overly powerful central government that threatened individual liberties and state sovereignty, fearing it would become tyrannical and resemble the British monarchy, especially without a specific list of protected rights (a Bill of Rights). They worried the new federal government would eclipse state power, rule by distant elites, and fail to protect citizens from governmental abuse, leading to their successful push for the Bill of Rights.
What were the main concerns of the Anti-Federalists 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 were the Anti-Federalists most concerned about?
The Anti-Federalists were chiefly concerned with too much power invested in the national government at the expense of states.
What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists Quizlet?
The Antifederalists opposed the Constitution as they feared the strengthening of the central government, wanted a smaller union, and were concerned about the proposed document as it didn't include a bill of rights.
What did the Anti-Federalists believe about ratification?
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.
Federalists, Anti Federalists and the Ratification of the Constitution
What was the main goal of the Anti-Federalists?
Antifederalists not only believed that the inclusion of a bill of rights was essential to the preservation of liberty, but they also believed that a fundamental statement of political and legal principle would educate citizens about the ideals of republicanism and make them more effective guardians of their own liberty ...
What did the Anti-Federalists argue in favor of?
In general, the Anti-Federalists believed that the bulk of governing power should reside with the States, as that was the government that was closest to “the people.” The central government, they argued, should be small, not very active, and exist only for very limited purposes, largely collective military defense.
What was the strongest concern the Anti-Federalists raised?
The Anti-Federalists raised significant concerns about how a strong national government could infringe upon individual liberties. Their arguments highlighted the need for explicit protections against potential government overreach.
What were the main issues between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?
Federalists believed that a stronger national government would improve relationships between states and help create, as the Constitution stated, a “more perfect union.” Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, worried that a federal government with more power would be prone to tyranny.
Which of the following was a concern of the Anti-Federalists?
The correct answer is d. The potential for a too-powerful central government. Anti-Federalists feared that a powerful central government would infringe upon individual liberties and the sovereignty of the states.
What are the beliefs of an Anti-Federalist?
Anti-Federalists believed that the new Constitution was designed such that the new government would have too much power. They imagined that the proposed Congress was too capable of assigning new powers to itself, and they thought the President was too close to a monarch in terms of power.
What was the main concern of federalists?
The Federalist Party supported Hamilton's vision of a strong centralized government and agreed with his proposals for a national bank and heavy government subsidies. In foreign affairs, they supported neutrality in the war between France and Great Britain.
How did Anti-Federalist concerns raised during the ratification process lead to the creation of the Bill of Rights?
Anti-Federalist concerns led to the Bill of Rights by highlighting the need to protect individual liberties against potential government overreach.
What were the main issues in the debate over ratification of the Constitution?
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 concerns did Anti-Federalists have?
In conclusion, the Antifederalists warned about the tendency of the American system toward the consolidation of political power in a) the nation to the detriment of the various states, and b) one branch of the federal government at the expense of the separation of powers.
What was the major point of disagreement between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists whose views prevailed?
In other words, it was a battle over federalism—the question of how much power to give to the national government and how much power to keep with the states. While the Federalists argued for a stronger national government, the Anti-Federalists defended a vision of America rooted in powerful states.
What did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagree about during the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
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 were two concerns of the Anti-Federalists concerning the ratification of the Constitution?
They were also concerned that, within the national government, the legislative and executive branches were too powerful. Anti-Federalists were also concerned that the Constitution lacked a specific listing of rights.
What was the main argument of the Anti-Federalists against the proposed 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 were the major differences between the federalists and Anti-Federalists and who were the best known members of each party?
The Federalists, led by Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong central government, while the Anti-Federalists, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, advocated states' rights instead of centralized power.
What was a major concern for the group known as the Anti-Federalists?
The Anti-Federalists were against the ratification of the Constitution for many reasons. The Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution, as drafted, would lead to a loss of individual liberties, an erosion of state sovereignty, and the potential for the rise of tyranny.
What was the main issue between federalists and 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 main issue over which federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed?
In other words, it was a battle over federalism—the question of how much power to give to the national government and how much power to keep with the states. While the Federalists argued for a stronger national government, the Anti-Federalists defended a vision of America rooted in powerful states.
What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists Quizlet?
The Antifederalists opposed the Constitution as they feared the strengthening of the central government, wanted a smaller union, and were concerned about the proposed document as it didn't include a bill of rights.
What was the role of Anti-Federalists in ratification?
To combat the Federalist campaign, the Anti-Federalists published a series of articles and delivered numerous speeches against ratification of the Constitution. These independent writings and speeches have come to be known collectively as The Anti-Federalist Papers.