What was a major concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution?

The major concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution centered on the lack of guarantees for individual liberties. They feared that the new framework of government would grant the central government too much power, potentially infringing upon the rights of individuals and states. Anti-Federalists were particularly worried about the absence of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution, which they believed was essential to protect fundamental freedoms such as speech, assembly, and the press. This conviction was rooted in their experiences under British rule, where individual liberties were often suppressed.

While the Anti-Federalists did have apprehensions about a strong central government and the potential for it to dominate state authority, their primary focus was on protecting individual freedoms. They argued that without explicit protections in place, citizens could face the tyranny of an oppressive government. The subsequent debates and discussions led to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights, addressing many of their concerns and securing essential civil liberties for American citizens.