Final answer:
Amendment VIII was included in the Bill of Rights to prevent government abuse by ensuring punishments remain fair, reflecting the influence of historical legal documents and addressing Anti-Federalist concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The framers of the Constitution included Amendment VIII in the Bill of Rights to address concerns from the Anti-Federalists, who feared the new government might abuse its power without clear protections for individual liberties. This amendment provides protection against cruel and unusual punishments, thus safeguarding human dignity and ensuring that punishments for crimes remain fair and proportional. Given the context of their times, influenced by historical documents like the English Bill of Rights and the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the framers sought to establish clear legal principles that would prevent the potential for arbitrary and oppressive government actions.