Which group opposed the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787, favoring strong state governments?

The group that opposed the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 and favored strong state governments was the Anti-Federalists. This opposition arose from their belief that the new Constitution would create a strong federal government that might become tyrannical, undermining the autonomy and rights of individual states. The Anti-Federalists argued for the preservation of state sovereignty and a more decentralized governmental structure, valuing local governance where citizens had more direct control.

In contrast, the Federalists supported a strong national government and promoted the ratification of the Constitution, believing that a stronger federal authority was necessary to maintain order and unity among the states. The Democratic-Republicans, emerging later, were typically aligned with the ideals of the Anti-Federalists but focused more on agricultural interests and limited government. The term Constitutionalists is less relevant in this historical context, as it does not accurately represent a distinct faction opposing the Constitution. Thus, the identification of the Anti-Federalists as the group opposing the Constitution is grounded in their clear ideological commitment to state empowerment and skepticism about centralized authority.