How did the U.S. Constitution improve the structure of the government over the Articles of Confederation?
The U.S. Constitution improved the structure of the government over the Articles of Confederation in several ways:
1. Stronger central government: The Articles of Confederation created a weak central authority with limited powers, which resulted in a lack of unity and coordination among the states. In contrast, the U.S. Constitution established a stronger central government with separate branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—that could effectively exercise power and make decisions for the entire nation.
2. Separation of powers: The Constitution introduced a system of checks and balances through the separation of powers among the three branches of government. This ensured that no single branch would become too powerful and prevent abuses of power.
3. Bicameral legislature: While the Articles of Confederation had a unicameral Congress, the Constitution created a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives and the Senate. This allowed for a more balanced representation of the people and the states, preventing domination by any particular group.
4. Ability to regulate commerce: The Constitution granted the central government the power to regulate interstate commerce, which was lacking under the Articles of Confederation. This helped create a more unified economic system across states.
5. Improved ability to enforce laws: The Articles of Confederation lacked a strong executive branch and relied on voluntary compliance from the states. The Constitution established a stronger executive branch, led by a president, who could enforce laws and ensure the execution of policies at the national level.
6. Amendments and flexibility: The Constitution included a process to amend the document, allowing for necessary changes to be made over time. This flexibility was absent in the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous agreement from all states for any amendments.
Overall, the U.S. Constitution provided a more coherent and effective framework for governing the nation, addressing the weaknesses and limitations inherent in the Articles of Confederation.