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

Question

A. The U.S. Constitution set up the first form of government for the newly independent United States.
B. The U.S. Constitution allowed for each state to have an equal vote in Congress regardless of size or population.
C. The U.S. Constitution separated powers between the judicial, legislative, and executive branches.
D. The U.S. Constitution had only one branch, a unicameral legislature that had limited power.

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. The U.S. Constitution separated powers between the judicial, legislative, and executive branches.

This distinguishing feature of the U.S. Constitution was designed to create a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government, contrasting with the Articles of Confederation, which established a much weaker national government with limited powers and no separate judicial or executive branches.

To clarify the other options:

• A is incorrect because the Articles of Confederation were the first form of government for the newly independent United States, adopted in 1781.
• B is incorrect because under the Articles of Confederation, each state had one vote in Congress regardless of size or population, which was a major point of contention leading to the Constitutional Convention.
• D is incorrect because the Articles of Confederation created a unicameral legislature but the U.S. Constitution established a bicameral legislature (the House of Representatives and the Senate) and a more robust federal government.