Which group sought to limit the role of the national government?

The Anti-Federalists were a group that emerged during the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century. They believed in limiting the power of the national government and were concerned that a strong national authority could threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty. This group argued that the federal government should have only the powers explicitly granted to it by the Constitution, advocating for a decentralized system that favored state and local governance.

Their fears were largely rooted in the experiences of colonial rule, where a distant government imposed laws without local consent. They were instrumental in pushing for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights as a means to protect individual freedoms and restrict governmental power in areas such as religion, speech, and assembly. Their perspective played a crucial role in shaping the early political landscape of the United States, helping to prompt a balance between federal and state powers that is still evident today.