Who were the opponents of the Constitution that favored a weak central government?

The opponents of the Constitution who favored a weak central government were the Anti-Federalists. This group emerged in the late 18th century during the ratification debate of the U.S. Constitution. The Anti-Federalists were concerned that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties and the autonomy of the states. They believed that the Constitution, as it was proposed, concentrated too much power in the federal government at the expense of state sovereignty, leading to potential tyranny.

The Anti-Federalists called for a Bill of Rights to ensure the protection of individual freedoms and to limit the powers of the federal government. They argued that the new Constitution did not adequately safeguard the rights of citizens and was too similar to the British monarchy they had fought against during the American Revolution. Their emphasis on protecting local governance and ensuring personal liberties made them a significant force in the early political landscape of the United States.