Question

The Antifederalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution because the New Constitution

Answer 1

Answer:  A. It didn't have a bill of rights that would guarantee basic freedoms.

The Articles of Confederation, in place prior to the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America, had granted stronger authority to the states.  Patrick Henry and other Anti-Federalists were concerned about too much power winding up in the hands of the federal government and its executive branch, thus allowing a small number of national elites to control the affairs of the USA.  They feared this also would diminish the rights and freedoms of individual citizens.

The Bill of Rights, laid out in the first ten amendments to the Constitution, provided some reassurance to Anti-Federalists after the fight over ratification. The US Constitution was ratified in 1788.  The Bill of Rights was created in 1789 and ratified in 1791.

Answer 2

A. didn't have a bill of rights that would guarantee basic freedoms.

Anti-Federalists opposed ratification of the Constitution without a guarantee of protection of natural rights.

Federalists believed the Constitution implied the protection of rights and the creation of a checks and balance system would protect individuals. To guarantee ratification of the Constitution, Federalists agreed to a set of ten amendments to be added to the Constitution that would specifically guarantee the rights of the individual and give power to the states. Anti-Federalists agreed to ratify the Constitution in exchange for the Bill of Rights.