What is the Difference Between Articles of Confederation and US Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution are two foundational documents in American history that served different purposes and had distinct characteristics. Here are the main differences between them:

1. Sovereignty: Under the Articles of Confederation, sovereignty resided in the states, while the US Constitution significantly expanded the power of the federal government and declared itself the law of the land.
2. Separation of Powers: The Articles of Confederation lacked a separation of powers, with no executive or judicial branch and a single legislative body appointed by state legislatures. The US Constitution established a separation of powers, creating the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, ensuring that power would not be concentrated in one particular branch.
3. Legislative Structure: The Articles of Confederation had a unicameral legislature, while the US Constitution created a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives (elected by popular vote) and the Senate (appointed by state legislatures).
4. Amendment Process: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous agreement from all states to be amended, while the US Constitution allowed for amendments through a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.
5. Foreign Policy and Taxation: The Articles of Confederation left the central government weak, without essential powers like the ability to control foreign policy or to tax. The US Constitution addressed these limitations by granting the federal government the power to regulate commerce, levy taxes, and conduct foreign policy.

In summary, the Articles of Confederation were the original constitution of the United States, which emphasized state sovereignty and created a weak central government. The US Constitution, drafted in response to the limitations of the Articles, established a more powerful federal government, separated powers, created a bicameral legislature, allowed for an easier amendment process, and granted essential powers for the federal government to function effectively.

Comparative Table: Articles of Confederation vs US Constitution

The Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution are both foundational documents for the United States, but they have several key differences and similarities. Here is a table comparing the two:

The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with most power retained by the individual states. The US Constitution, on the other hand, established a stronger central government with a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Constitution also introduced a bicameral legislature and granted the federal government the power to tax and regulate interstate trade.