Which group opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing it would lead to a powerful central government?

• A. Federalists
• B. Anti-Federalists
• C. Republicans
• D. Democrats

Answer: (B)

The group that opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing it would lead to a powerful central government, is indeed the Anti-Federalists. This group was concerned that the new Constitution would create an overpowering federal authority that could potentially infringe on the rights of individuals and the autonomy of states. They believed the Constitution did not include sufficient protections for individual liberties, which ultimately led to the demand for a Bill of Rights. Anti-Federalists were influential in encouraging the inclusion of these amendments to protect citizens from government overreach, highlighting their crucial role in shaping the early discourse on the balance of power between state and federal governments. Their arguments were pivotal during the ratification debates, asserting the importance of local governance and individual rights against a centralized authority.