Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution

Attribute	Articles of Confederation	U.S. Constitution
Form of Government	Confederation	Federal Republic
Central Government Power	Weak	Strong
Executive Branch	No executive branch	President as head of executive branch
Legislative Branch	Unicameral Congress	Bicameral Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
Judicial Branch	No separate judicial branch	Supreme Court and other federal courts
Amendment Process	Unanimous approval of all states	Approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of states
Taxation Power	Dependent on voluntary contributions from states	Power to levy taxes on individuals and states
Regulation of Trade	States had control over their own trade policies	Congress had power to regulate interstate and foreign trade
Representation	Each state had one vote in Congress	Representation based on population (House) and equal representation for each state (Senate)
Ratification Process	Required unanimous approval of all 13 states	Required approval of nine out of 13 states

Introduction

The Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution are two significant documents in American history that shaped the foundation of the United States. While both documents aimed to establish a framework for governance, they differed in several key aspects. This article will explore and compare the attributes of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Background: Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States. This document was created during the Revolutionary War and reflected the fear of a strong central government that the colonists had developed under British rule. The Articles established a loose confederation of thirteen independent states, with a weak central government that had limited powers.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government lacked the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws. It could only request funds from the states, making it difficult to finance the government and address national issues effectively. Additionally, each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its size or population, leading to an imbalance of power.

Creation of the U.S. Constitution

Recognizing the limitations of the Articles of Confederation, a Constitutional Convention was held in 1787 to draft a new governing document. The result was the U.S. Constitution, which sought to establish a stronger central government while preserving individual liberties and state sovereignty.

The U.S. Constitution introduced a system of checks and balances, dividing power among three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This separation of powers ensured that no single branch could become too powerful, preventing tyranny. Furthermore, the Constitution granted the federal government the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and maintain a standing army, providing the necessary means to govern effectively.

Structure and Representation

One of the significant differences between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution lies in their structure and representation. Under the Articles, each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its size or population. This equal representation favored smaller states, but it also led to an imbalance of power, as larger states felt their interests were not adequately represented.

In contrast, the U.S. Constitution introduced a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives was based on proportional representation, with the number of seats allocated to each state based on its population. This ensured that larger states had a greater say in legislation. The Senate, on the other hand, provided equal representation for all states, with each state having two senators. This compromise struck a balance between the interests of larger and smaller states, promoting fair representation.

Powers of the Central Government

Another significant difference between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution lies in the powers granted to the central government. Under the Articles, the central government had limited authority and could not enforce its laws or regulate commerce effectively. This lack of power hindered the government's ability to address national issues and maintain stability.

The U.S. Constitution, on the other hand, granted the federal government more robust powers. It provided the authority to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, and maintain a standing army. These powers enabled the government to address national concerns, promote economic growth, and protect the country from external threats.

Amendment Process

The process for amending the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution also differed significantly. Under the Articles, any amendment required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states, making it extremely difficult to modify the document. This rigidity prevented necessary changes and hindered the government's ability to adapt to new circumstances.

The U.S. Constitution, however, introduced a more flexible amendment process. Amendments could be proposed by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. To be ratified, an amendment required the approval of three-fourths of the states. This process allowed for necessary changes to be made while still ensuring a broad consensus among the states.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution represent two distinct phases in American history. While the Articles provided a weak central government and limited powers, the U.S. Constitution established a stronger federal government with the authority to address national issues effectively. The U.S. Constitution also introduced a system of checks and balances, proportional representation, and a flexible amendment process, which addressed the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. Through these improvements, the U.S. Constitution laid the foundation for a more stable and prosperous United States.