Who were the Anti-Federalists?

The Anti-Federalists were a group that emerged during the debates surrounding the ratification of the United States Constitution. They primarily opposed the proposed Constitution because they feared it would create a powerful central government that could threaten individual liberties and the autonomy of the states. They advocated for stronger state governments, believing that local governance was more representative and responsive to the needs of the people. This opposition was rooted in their commitment to principles of republicanism and decentralization of power.

Their arguments highlighted concerns over the potential for tyranny that could arise from a strong federal government, particularly in the absence of a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms. The Anti-Federalists played a significant role in the constitutional debate, ultimately leading to the adoption of the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, which addressed some of their concerns.

Understanding this context helps clarify why the identification of the Anti-Federalists as opponents of the Constitution favoring stronger state governments is the most accurate.