What role did the Bill of Rights play in relation to the anti-Federalists?

The Bill of Rights played a crucial role in the debates surrounding the ratification of the Constitution, particularly in relation to the anti-Federalists, who were apprehensive about a strong central government. They feared that individual liberties would be at risk without explicit protections. The absence of a Bill of Rights was seen as a significant flaw in the original Constitution, leading to widespread opposition from the anti-Federalists.

Their concerns highlighted the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. As a result, the promise of adopting the Bill of Rights was instrumental in swaying public opinion and garnering support for the Constitution. This led to a compromise, where the first ten amendments were added shortly after ratification to explicitly ensure that the government would not infringe upon individual rights, thus addressing the anti-Federalists' key objections.

This confrontation over the need for explicit protections is what made the Bill of Rights a major point of contention in the ratification process.