Who were the opponents of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 1780s?

• A. Anti-Federalists
• B. Federalists
• C. Ratifiers
• D. Dissenters

Answer: (A)

Opponents of ratification were the Anti-Federalists. They worried that creating a strong national government under the new Constitution would erode state sovereignty and concentrate power in a distant central authority. They also argued that the document did not adequately protect individual rights, fearing abuses of liberty without explicit safeguards. To address these concerns, they urged that a Bill of Rights be added, and they pushed for amendments or delays in ratification until those protections were guaranteed. Famous Anti-Federalists like Patrick Henry and George Mason helped articulate these worries through pamphlets and speeches, influencing some states to demand concessions before agreeing to the new framework.