Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Fear of Centralized Power: As a stronghold of Anti-Federalism, North Carolina refused to ratify the Constitution until amendments protecting individual liberties and state sovereignty were guaranteed. They feared a distant federal government would become tyrannical.
Anti-Federalist Leadership: Figures like Willie Jones and Samuel Spencer led the charge, insisting on explicit protections for freedom of religion, press, trial by jury, and the right to bear arms.
Similar Anti-Federalist Sentiment: Rhode Island, the last state to ratify (1790), shared deep distrust of federal authority. Its "Country Party" dominated politics and demanded a Bill of Rights as a precondition.
Radical Democratic Tradition: With a history of religious freedom (founded by dissenters) and broad suffrage for white men, Rhode Islanders wanted constitutional guarantees that the government would remain accountable to the people.
Both states ratified only after the First Congress proposed the Bill of Rights (1789), which was ratified in 1791. Their insistence helped shape the first ten amendments.