Why did Anti-Federalists object to the new Constitution?

• A. It included a bill of rights
• B. It lacked a bill of rights
• C. It expanded state powers
• D. It reduced the power of the executive branch

Answer: (B)

Anti-Federalists were concerned that the new Constitution lacked a bill of rights because they believed it did not sufficiently protect individual liberties and the rights of citizens. They feared that without explicit protections, the federal government could potentially infringe on civil liberties, leading to tyranny. A bill of rights was essential to safeguard personal freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, and the absence of such provisions raised significant alarms among those who valued individual freedoms. This sentiment played a crucial role in the eventual addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution shortly after its ratification.