How was the US Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?

The U.S. Constitution and the Articles of Confederation were both foundational documents for the United States, but they represented quite different approaches to governance and structure of government. Here are some key differences between the two:

1. **Structure of Government**:
- **Articles of Confederation**: Established a weak central government with a unicameral legislature (Congress) that had limited powers. There was no executive branch or national judiciary. Each state retained its sovereignty and independence.
- **U.S. Constitution**: Created a stronger federal government with a bicameral legislature (Congress), an executive branch headed by a President, and a judicial branch with a Supreme Court. This structure allowed for a more cohesive national government.

2. **Power Distribution**:
- **Articles of Confederation**: The central government had very few powers, primarily related to foreign affairs and defense. States had the authority to impose taxes, regulate commerce, and enforce laws.
- **U.S. Constitution**: Granted the federal government greater authority, including the power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and enforce laws. It also included the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) to allow for the creation of laws beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution.

3. **Legislation**:
- **Articles of Confederation**: Required a supermajority (9 out of 13 states) to pass legislation, making it difficult to enact laws.
- **U.S. Constitution**: Established a majority vote in both houses of Congress to pass legislation, streamlining the legislative process.

4. **Amendment Process**:
- **Articles of Confederation**: Required unanimous consent from all 13 states to amend the Articles, making it nearly impossible to make changes.
- **U.S. Constitution**: Provided a more flexible amendment process, allowing for amendments to be proposed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or by a convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures, and ratified by three-fourths of the states.

5. **Taxation and Revenue**:
- **Articles of Confederation**: The federal government could not impose taxes directly and relied on voluntary contributions from states, which often led to financial instability.
- **U.S. Constitution**: The federal government has the power to levy taxes directly on individuals and businesses, providing a more stable revenue system.

6. **Interstate Relations**:
- **Articles of Confederation**: Lacked mechanisms for resolving disputes between states and there was no requirement for states to respect each other's laws.
- **U.S. Constitution**: Included the Full Faith and Credit Clause, requiring states to honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states, and established mechanisms for the federal government to mediate disputes between states.

Overall, the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution marked a significant shift toward a more centralized and effective federal government, capable of addressing the challenges faced by the nation under the Articles.