Question

1. a. recall: why did the antifederalists insist on a bill of rights?

b. predict what might have happened if the federalists had failed to make good on their promise of a bill of rights?

Explanation:

3a

Antifederalists feared a strong central government (from the new Constitution) would abuse power, as the Constitution lacked explicit individual rights protection. They wanted a bill of rights to safeguard liberties (e.g., freedom of speech, religion) from government overreach.

If Federalists failed to pass a bill of rights, Antifederalist opposition to the Constitution would likely intensify. States might refuse to ratify, or there could be civil unrest as people felt their rights were unprotected. The new government’s legitimacy would be challenged, and the Union might face instability or even dissolution, as the lack of rights protection would alienate those valuing liberties.

Answer:

Antifederalists insisted on a bill of rights because they feared the strong central government created by the new Constitution would violate individual liberties (like freedom of speech, religion, etc.) since the Constitution initially had no explicit protections for such rights, and they wanted to prevent government abuse of power.

3b