Why do you think the colonists might have been afraid of a strong central government after their experience under the British?
I think there going to be afraid because they already had one bad experience with King George and they didn't want to go through the same thing with their own government.
Thus the colonists' representatives came up with the Articles of Confederation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation
But those were a bit too loose, so they came up with the US Constitution:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution
The colonists may have been afraid of a strong central government after their experience under British rule for several reasons. To understand their concerns, it's important to explore the historical context.
1. Colonial Oppression: The American colonies had endured years of British colonial oppression, including taxation without representation and restrictions on their economic activities. This had bred a deep resentment towards a distant and powerful central authority.
2. Tyranny and Abuse of Power: The colonists were well aware of Britain's history of monarchial rule and the abuses of power that often accompanied it. They witnessed firsthand the tyrannical acts of the British monarchy, such as the Quartering Act, Boston Massacre, and the imposition of harsh laws like the Stamp Act and the Intolerable Acts. These experiences shaped their deep-seated fear of an oppressive central government.
3. Individual Liberty and State Rights: Another factor was the deeply ingrained tradition of individual liberty within the colonies. The colonists cherished their rights, including personal freedoms, property ownership, and local self-governance. They were concerned that a strong central government might infringe upon these liberties and diminish the power of the individual states.
4. Fear of Concentrated Power: The colonists were also influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who emphasized the importance of the separation of powers and checks on government authority. They understood that a strong central government could easily become corrupt and tyrannical, leading to the concentration of power in the hands of a few.
In order to further explore the colonists' fears, it would be beneficial to read primary sources from that time period, such as the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, which provide insights into the debates and concerns surrounding the creation of a strong central government during the formation of the United States.