what are the similarties and differences of philosophies in the Articals of confederation and the constitution
These sites should help you answer this question.
http://www.usconstitution.net/constconart.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/articles-of-confederation-vs-constitution.html
The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution were two important documents in American history that shaped the course of the nation. Both documents reflect different philosophies and have both similarities and differences in their approaches.
Similarities:
1. Limited Central Power: Both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution's early drafts aimed to limit the power of the central government. They were cautious about establishing a strong central authority, fearing a repeat of tyranny experienced under British rule.
2. Governance Structure: Both documents provide for a legislative branch to create laws, an executive branch to enforce them, and a judicial branch to interpret them.
3. Sovereign States: Both documents recognized the sovereignty of individual states, allowing them to maintain their own governments and powers to some extent.
Differences:
1. Central Authority: The Articles of Confederation had a weak central government, with most authority resting in the hands of the states. In contrast, the Constitution sought to establish a stronger federal government with separate branches and a clearer delineation of powers.
2. Taxation Powers: The Articles of Confederation did not grant the central government the power to directly tax individuals. The Constitution, however, granted Congress the power to levy and collect taxes, allowing for a more stable revenue source.
3. Amending the Documents: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent of all 13 states for amendments to be made, making it exceptionally difficult to change. In contrast, the Constitution outlined a clearer process for amendments, requiring the approval of three-fourths of the states.
4. Representation: The Articles of Confederation had each state receiving an equal vote in Congress, regardless of population size, giving small states equal power to large ones. However, the Constitution introduced a system of proportional representation, with the number of representatives in Congress based on population.
To fully compare and understand the philosophies behind these documents, one should examine the historical context, the debates among the Founding Fathers, and the prevailing political theories at the time. Reading primary sources such as the Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist writings can provide further insight.