The group opposed to a strong federal government in early U.S. history was the Anti-Federalists. They feared that a powerful national government would threaten state sovereignty, individual liberties, and potentially lead to tyranny. The Anti-Federalists favored strong state governments, a weak central government, and protections for individual rights, including the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. They were concerned that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government and the president, likening the president's power to that of a monarch. Key figures included Patrick Henry and George Mason, and their movement significantly influenced the eventual addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.