The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution because they feared that the new countrywide government would be too effective and accordingly threaten man or woman liberties, given the absence of a bill of rights
Many Anti-Federalists desired a weak central authorities because they equated a strong authorities with British tyranny. Others wanted to encourage democracy and feared a strong government that would be dominated via the wealthy. They felt that the states have been giving up too a whole lot energy to the new federal government.
The Anti-Federalists have been robust in the key states of Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. In North Carolina and Rhode Island they prevented ratification of the Constitution until after the new authorities had been established.
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