The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution represent two different frameworks for the governance of the United States. Here are two main differences between them:
-
Central Authority:
- Articles of Confederation: Created a weak central government with limited powers, emphasizing state sovereignty. The national government could not levy taxes or regulate commerce effectively, relying instead on contributions from the states.
- Constitution: Established a stronger federal government with the authority to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and enforce laws. It created a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial), enhancing federal power.
-
Legislative Structure:
- Articles of Confederation: Featured a unicameral legislature, where each state had one vote regardless of its size or population, leading to difficulties in achieving consensus and passing laws.
- Constitution: Implemented a bicameral legislature (Congress) with two houses: the Senate (equal representation from each state) and the House of Representatives (representation based on population). This structure aimed to balance the interests of both small and large states.
These differences reflect a fundamental shift in the approach to governance in the United States, moving from a loose confederation of states to a more unified federal system.
11 answers