Anti-Federalist Perspective on the Constitution

In the early years following the ratification of the United States Constitution, a fierce ideological battle unfolded between two primary factions: the Federalists, who advocated for a strong central government, and the Anti-Federalists, who argued for states' rights and feared the potential tyranny of a powerful federal government. This period was marked by intense debates about the structure of governance, individual liberties, and the role of the citizenry in a new republic.

A significant area of contention arose regarding the need for a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. As the first Congress convened, the debate centered on whether this inclusion was necessary to safeguard against the central authority. The Federalists largely accepted the Constitution as it was, believing it granted sufficient protections inherently through the system of checks and balances, while the Anti-Federalists insisted that explicit protections of rights were essential to prevent governmental overreach.

Which of the following statements best captures the perspective of the Anti-Federalists concerning the proposed Constitution?