Which group called for a Bill of Rights?

Which group called for a Bill of Rights?

• A. Federalists
• B. Leaders of the Loyalist movement
• C. Antifederalists
• D. City councils

Answer: (C)

The group that pressed for a Bill of Rights believed the new national government needed explicit protections for individual liberties. They argued that without a written list of rights, the federal government might overstep its powers or threaten fundamental freedoms, so they demanded guarantees like freedom of speech, religion, and due process. This concern about preventing government overreach and preserving personal rights helped drive the push for the first ten amendments, which were added to secure ratification of the Constitution. The Federalists favored ratification without a Bill of Rights, arguing rights could be protected by structure and laws, but the Antifederalists’ insistence on explicit protections carried the day.

The group that pressed for a Bill of Rights believed the new national government needed explicit protections for individual liberties. They argued that without a written list of rights, the federal government might overstep its powers or threaten fundamental freedoms, so they demanded guarantees like freedom of speech, religion, and due process. This concern about preventing government overreach and preserving personal rights helped drive the push for the first ten amendments, which were added to secure ratification of the Constitution. The Federalists favored ratification without a Bill of Rights, arguing rights could be protected by structure and laws, but the Antifederalists’ insistence on explicit protections carried the day.