How was the U.S. Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?
The US Constitution set up the first form of government for the newly independent United States.
The U.S. Constitution allowed for each state to have an equal vote in Congress regardless of size or population.
The U.S. Constitution separated powers between the judicial, legislative, and executive branches.
The U.S. Constitution had only one branch, a unicameral legislature that had limited power.
The Articles of Confederation, on the other hand, established a weak central government that had limited powers and could not effectively govern the country.
Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no separate executive branch or judiciary. The legislative branch, known as the Congress, was the only branch of government and had limited authority. There was no president or federal court system.
Moreover, the Articles of Confederation gave each state in Congress a single vote, regardless of size or population. This meant that larger states had no more power than smaller states, which often led to disputes and difficulties in decision-making.
In contrast, the U.S. Constitution introduced a system of separation of powers, dividing authority among the three branches of government – legislative, executive, and judicial. This ensured that power was balanced and not concentrated in a single entity.
Additionally, the U.S. Constitution established a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives was based on the population of each state, while the Senate provided equal representation for all states.
Overall, the U.S. Constitution created a stronger and more effective form of government compared to the Articles of Confederation, addressing many of the weaknesses and limitations that were present under the earlier system.