Strong feelings of anxiety or apprehension about something. In the context of the development of the U.S. Constitution, fears refer to concerns and worries that individuals had regarding a powerful central government.
Related terms
Anti-Federalists: Individuals who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution due to their fears of a strong central government.
Tyranny: The abuse of power by a ruler or government, often resulting in oppression and loss of individual freedoms.
Federalism: A system where power is divided between a central authority (the federal government) and regional authorities (states), which helps alleviate fears by limiting central government control.