What ideological stance did the Anti-Federalists advocate for regarding state power?

The Anti-Federalists strongly advocated for limiting federal influence and emphasizing the importance of state power. Their primary concern was that a strong central government could threaten individual liberties and the rights of the states. They believed in a decentralized government structure where states retained significant authority to govern and make decisions that would best serve their residents. This ideology was rooted in a foundational belief in local governance and the conviction that smaller, more localized government would be more responsive and accountable to the people.

The context of this stance emerges from the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Anti-Federalists argued that the proposed Constitution concentrated too much power at the national level, lacking sufficient protections for individual rights. Their advocacy for a Bill of Rights was aimed at ensuring specific liberties remained protected against potential governmental overreach.

In comparison, other options focused on increasing national power, supporting a strong military, or promoting trade agreements, which do not resonate with the Anti-Federalist perspective. Their commitment was to safeguard the autonomy of states and prevent a central authority from infringing upon the rights and privileges that belonged to individual states.