What did the Anti-Federalist Papers argue for?

• A. Against a strong central government and for more protection of rights
• B. For a strong central government
• C. To promote a monarchy
• D. To eliminate the Bill of Rights

Answer: (A)

The main idea the Anti-Federalist writings emphasize is limiting the new national government's power while securing basic liberties for individuals. They argued that a strong central government, as proposed in the Constitution, could infringe on rights and overwhelm state authority, so they pushed for protections that would prevent tyranny. That’s why the best choice captures both goals: opposing a powerful central authority and insisting on stronger protections for individual rights, often through a Bill of Rights.

The other options don’t fit with their stance: aiming for a strong central government, seeking a monarchy, or wanting to eliminate the Bill of Rights would all contradict the Anti-Federalists’ concern about concentrated power and their demand for explicit rights protections.