how was the US constitution different from the articles of confederation
The US Constitution was different from the Articles of Confederation in several ways:
1. Stronger Central Government: The Constitution created a stronger central government compared to the Articles. It established a system of federalism, where power is divided between the national government and the states. The national government gained powers such as the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and maintain a standing army.
2. Executive Branch: The Constitution introduced the concept of an executive branch with a president as the head of government. Under the Articles, there was no executive branch and no single leader to enforce laws or carry out executive functions.
3. Legislative Branch: The Constitution created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives and the Senate. This system ensured representation of both population and states' interests. In contrast, the Articles of Confederation had a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, regardless of size or population.
4. Amending the Constitution: The Constitution included provisions for its own amendment, requiring the approval of two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states. The Articles of Confederation, in contrast, required unanimous consent of all 13 states for any amendments, making it extremely difficult to amend the articles.
5. Judicial Branch: The Constitution established a federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court, which had the power to interpret and apply the law. The Articles did not establish a federal judiciary system, leaving disputes and legal matters primarily to the states.
6. Protection of Individual Rights: The Constitution included a Bill of Rights as the first ten amendments, guaranteeing specific individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. The Articles of Confederation did not contain a specific Bill of Rights.
Overall, the Constitution addressed the weaknesses of the Articles by creating a stronger central government, ensuring a separation of powers, and protecting individual rights.