The two main differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution relate to the distribution of power and the structure of government:
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Distribution of Power:
- The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with most of the power retained by the individual states. The national government lacked the authority to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws, which made it difficult to govern effectively.
- In contrast, the Constitution created a stronger federal government with greater powers, including the ability to tax, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, and enforce laws. This shift aimed to provide a more effective framework for governance and address the shortcomings of the Articles.
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Structure of Government:
- The Articles of Confederation provided for a unicameral legislature (the Congress of the Confederation) with no separate executive or judicial branches. Each state had one vote, regardless of size, which meant that decision-making could be slow and often required unanimous consent for significant changes.
- The Constitution established a bicameral legislature (Congress, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate) with a system of checks and balances that included an executive branch headed by the President and a separate judiciary. This designed structure aimed to ensure a more balanced distribution of power among the branches of government and promote efficiency in governance.
These changes reflect a fundamental shift in balancing power between the federal and state governments, as well as an improvement in the effectiveness of the national government.
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