Which description best reflects Antifederalists' view of the Constitution?

• A. An insufficient check on the power of the states
• B. Too liberal
• C. Too strong and too centralized
• D. Barely strong enough to be effective

Answer: (C)

Antifederalists argued that the proposed Constitution would concentrate power in a strong national government, making the central authority too powerful and too centralized to be checked by the states or the people. They feared that Congress would gain broad powers over taxation, defense, and commerce, and that the presidency and national judiciary would operate with little local oversight. This would threaten state sovereignty and individual liberties, especially since there was no Bill of Rights to constrain the new government at that time. That’s why describing their view as “too strong and too centralized” best captures their main objection.

The other ideas don’t fit as well because Antifederalists did not argue that the central government should be weaker only to protect the states, nor did they claim the plan was simply “barely strong enough” to be effective. They actively feared a powerful central government and the erosion of local control.