Question

What event caused many anti-federalists to agree to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 1

Because of recently breaking away from a monarchical British system that felt too authoritative, there was a faction after the Revolutionary War known as the anti-federalists that wanted a weak central government in place of the new American country. They were very fearful of a strong central government that would hinder individual rights and proclamations of natural liberties that were echoed in the Declaration of Independence. While writing the Constitution, the addition of the Bill of Rights caused many anti-federalists to agree to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments in the Constitution that grant individual liberties and statements that limit the federal and judicial powers in respect to the citizen. <span />