What was a major concern of the Anti-Federalists?

• A. Centralized power
• B. The need for a stronger military
• C. The acceptance of the new Constitution
• D. The expansion of trade

Answer: (A)

A major concern of the Anti-Federalists was the fear of centralized power. They were wary that a strong national government would threaten the rights and freedoms of individuals and the autonomy of the states. Anti-Federalists believed that the proposed Constitution created a central government that had excessive power, which could lead to tyranny, similar to the British monarchy they had fought against. They argued for greater state sovereignty and insisted that a bill of rights was necessary to protect individual liberties. This concern was rooted in the history of colonial America, where many had experienced the overreach of British authority and sought to ensure that such an outcome would not recur in the newly-formed nation.

The other options reflect different perspectives or issues that were less central to the Anti-Federalist stance. While there were discussions about military strength and trade, these were not the primary concerns driving the Anti-Federalist opposition, which focused more on the implications of a strong central governance versus preserving state and individual rights.