Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

Why did the Anti-Federalists demand that a bill of rights be added to the constitution?

1. To protect individual freedoms from the Federalists

2. To end the argument about states' rights

3. To strengthen the authority of the federal government

4. To strengthen the judicial branch of the government

The correct answer is: To protect individual freedoms from the Federalists

The demand by the Anti-Federalists for a bill of rights to be added to the Constitution stemmed from their deep concern about the potential for government overreach and the protection of individual liberties. They believed that without explicit protections for individual rights, the new, stronger federal government established by the Constitution could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of citizens. The Anti-Federalists were wary of a centralized authority that could possibly disregard the needs and rights of individuals, which is why they advocated for a bill of rights as a safeguard against possible tyranny. This perspective was rooted in their belief that a government that fails to recognize and protect the rights of its citizens poses a serious threat to democracy. Therefore, the inclusion of a bill of rights would serve as a protective measure, ensuring that fundamental freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly were explicitly guaranteed and couldn’t be easily violated by the federal government.