Certainly! Here's a comparison between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, highlighting their similarities and differences:
Similarities (Purple Bubbles)
- Framework for Government: Both served as foundational documents that established a government for the United States.
- Representation of States: Each document reflected a degree of representation for the states, acknowledging their sovereignty.
- Federalism: Both systems recognized the need for a federal structure that balanced power between the national and state governments.
Differences (Red Bubbles - Articles of Confederation)
- Weak Central Authority: The Articles established a loose confederation with a very weak central government; it had limited powers and lacked the ability to enforce laws.
- No Executive or Judicial Branch: Under the Articles, there was no separate executive or judicial branch, leading to difficulties in governance and law enforcement.
- Amendment Process: Amending the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it extremely difficult to adapt to changing circumstances.
Differences (Blue Bubbles - Constitution)
- Strong Central Government: The Constitution created a stronger federal government with the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and maintain an army.
- Establishment of Three Branches: It instituted a system of checks and balances through the establishment of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each with distinct powers.
- Flexible Amendment Process: The Constitution allows for amendments with a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states, making changes more feasible over time.
This outline highlights the primary similarities and differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, illustrating how the latter addressed the weaknesses of the former.
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