How was the U.S. Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?
The U.S. 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 with a unicameral legislature that had limited power. The Articles did not have a separate executive or judicial branch. Additionally, under the Articles, each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of size or population.
To understand how the U.S. Constitution was different from the Articles of Confederation, it is important to delve into the key differences between the two. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781, while the U.S. Constitution replaced it in 1789. Here are the main differences:
1. Structure of Government: The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with a unicameral legislature. This means there was only one branch of government, and it was structured as a single legislative body called the Congress. On the other hand, the U.S. Constitution created a stronger central government with three separate branches: the judicial, legislative, and executive.
2. Powers of the Central Government: Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was limited in its powers and authority. It had no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws upon the states. This made it difficult for the central government to function effectively. However, the U.S. Constitution granted the federal government more powers, including the ability to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and make and enforce laws that applied to all states.
3. Representation: One of the major differences between the two documents lies in the representation of the states. Under the Articles of Confederation, representation in Congress was based on each state having one vote, regardless of its size or population. This meant that larger states had the same amount of power as smaller states, which often led to disagreements and inefficiencies. The U.S. Constitution, on the other hand, introduced a system of representation based on both population (House of Representatives) and equality (Senate), known as the Great Compromise. This created a more balanced representation and addressed the concerns of both larger and smaller states.
These are just a few of the overarching differences between the U.S. Constitution and the Articles of Confederation. Exploring these distinctions allows us to better understand the evolution of the United States' government structure and how it came to be the way it is today.