How was the U.S. Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 1

The U.S. Constitution was different from the Articles of Confederation in several key ways:

1. Centralized Government: The Articles of Confederation created a loose union of states with a weak central government, where the power resided mainly with individual states. In contrast, the U.S. Constitution established a stronger and more centralized federal government with the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and maintain a standing army.

2. Separation of Powers: The Constitution introduced the concept of separation of powers into the government structure. It divided the government into three branches: the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (President), and the judicial branch (Supreme Court). Each branch has its own powers and checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power.

3. Executive Authority: The Articles of Confederation lacked an executive branch, leaving no single leader or head of state to enforce laws and manage foreign affairs. The Constitution created the office of the President, who would be elected by the people and have executive powers.

4. Representation: The Articles of Confederation had a unicameral legislature, where every state had equal representation. In the Constitution, a bicameral legislature was established, consisting of the House of Representatives, with representation based on the population of each state, and the Senate, with equal representation for each state.

5. Amendment Process: The Constitution included an amendment process, allowing changes and adaptations to be made over time. This was in contrast to the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous consent from all 13 states to make any amendments, making it extremely difficult to modify the document.

6. National Judiciary: The Constitution established a federal judiciary system, including a Supreme Court. This system provided for a national interpretation of laws and a mechanism for resolving disputes between states and the federal government, which the Articles of Confederation lacked.

Overall, the U.S. Constitution aimed to create a more unified, effective, and stable federal government than the loose confederation established by the Articles of Confederation, addressing the weaknesses observed under the previous system.