Patrick Henry (Constitutional Convention)

Patrick Henry was a prominent American statesman and orator who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution during the late 18th century. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he argued that the new Constitution granted too much power to the federal government and threatened individual freedoms and state sovereignty. He believed in strong local governments and was concerned about potential tyranny. Although he did not sign the Constitution, his advocacy highlighted important debates about balancing national authority with individual rights, influencing the development of the Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.