What did Anti-Federalists fear about a strong Executive branch?

Anti-Federalists were particularly concerned that a strong Executive branch would concentrate power in the hands of a single individual, reminiscent of the monarchies they had fought against during the American Revolution. This fear stemmed from their belief that such centralization could lead to authoritarian rule, undermining the democratic principles that the new nation was founded on. They worried that an all-powerful executive could easily bypass the checks and balances put in place by the Constitution, leading to tyranny. This perspective was rooted in the historical context of British rule, where the king had significant power over the colonies, impacting their desire for a more decentralized government structure that protected individual liberties and state sovereignty. Therefore, the fear of a monarchy was a driving force in their opposition to a robust Executive branch as envisioned by the Federalists.