Which of the following statements best explains why the addition of a bill of rights was necessary to ensure ratification of the Constitution?(1 point)
Responses
The Anti-Federalists were distrustful of state governments.
The Anti-Federalists were distrustful of state governments.
The Federalists were distrustful of a national bill of rights being used by states.
The Federalists were distrustful of a national bill of rights being used by states.
The Federalists were fearful of a too powerful national government.
The Federalists were fearful of a too powerful national government.
The Anti-Federalists were fearful of a too powerful national government.
The Anti-Federalists were distrustful of a too powerful national government.
The correct answer is: The Anti-Federalists were distrustful of a national bill of rights being used by states.
To determine which statement best explains why the addition of a Bill of Rights was necessary for the ratification of the Constitution, we need to analyze the historical context and the arguments put forth by the Anti-Federalists and the Federalists.
During the time of the ratification debates, two prominent factions emerged: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution and a strong national government, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution in fear of centralized power infringing on individual rights.
The first two statements are repetitive, so we can disregard them as being the best explanation. Now let's examine the remaining two options.
The Federalists, as mentioned, feared that a national bill of rights could be used by states to undermine the power of the federal government. However, this concern was not a primary reason for seeking the addition of a Bill of Rights.
The best explanation is the last one: The Anti-Federalists were fearful of a too powerful national government. The primary concern of the Anti-Federalists was the potential for a centralized government to violate individual liberties, just as they had experienced under British rule before the American Revolution. To address these concerns and reassure the Anti-Federalists, the Federalists agreed to adopt a Bill of Rights as a compromise.
So, the correct answer is: The Anti-Federalists were fearful of a too powerful national government.