how did the constitution differ from the articles of confederation?
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The Constitution differed from the Articles of Confederation in several significant ways. To understand these differences, we need to explore the historical context and the key issues that led to the drafting and adoption of the Constitution.
1. Centralized Government: One of the primary differences between the two was the level of power and authority vested in the central government. Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government had limited authority, with most powers remaining with the states. The Constitution, on the other hand, created a stronger central government, with the ability to collect taxes, regulate commerce, maintain a military, and enforce laws.
2. Legislative Structure: The Articles of Confederation had a unicameral (single-chamber) legislature, called the Congress, where each state had one vote regardless of its size or population. The Constitution established a bicameral (two-chamber) legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House's composition is based on population, while each state has an equal number of senators. This system aimed to strike a balance between the interests of large and small states.
3. Executive Branch: The Articles of Confederation lacked a separate executive branch. Instead, there was a weak committee system where the President of Congress presided over the meetings. The Constitution created a separate, stronger executive branch led by a President who was elected by the Electoral College and possessed the power to enforce laws and execute policies.
4. Judicial System: The Articles of Confederation did not establish a federal court system. Disputes between states or between individuals and states were to be resolved by state courts. The Constitution established a federal judiciary, including a Supreme Court, to ensure a uniform interpretation and application of federal laws. This created a system where federal law could be enforced and interpreted independently of state laws.
5. Amendment Process: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous approval from all the states to amend the document, making it extremely difficult to make changes. The Constitution outlined an amendment process that required the approval of three-fourths of the states to amend the Constitution, providing a balance between stability and flexibility.
The differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution reflect the concerns and lessons learned from the weaknesses of the former. The Constitution aimed to strike a delicate balance between the powers of the central government and the states, creating a stronger federal government while still protecting individual rights and state autonomy.