Compare and contrast the constitution with the articles of the confederation?

Answer 1

A.O.C Levying taxes Congress could request states to pay taxes Congress has right to levy taxes on individuals Federal courts No system of federal courts Court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states Regulation of trade No provision to regulate interstate trade Congress has right to regulate trade between states Executive No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presided over Congress Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature Amending document 13/13 needed to amend Articles 2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention Representation of states

Each state received 1 vote regardless of size

Upper house (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (House of Representatives) based on population

Raising an army

Congress could not draft troops, dependent on states to contribute forces

Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations

Interstate commerce

No control of trade between states

Interstate commerce controlled by Congress

Disputes between states

Complicated system of arbitration

Federal court system to handle disputes

Sovereignty

Sovereignty resides in states

Constitution the supreme law of the land

Passing laws

9/13 needed to approve legislation

50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President

Answer 2

The American Constitution and Articles of Confederation are similar in some respects, especially in terms of the basic distinction between federal and state power and with a federal 'Congress' serving as the distinctive head and voice, as it were, of the confederated states. The differences are more significant, however, as the Constitution envisions (and in fact created) a generally much larger and more powerful federal government, a more sophisticated (and two-chambered) congress, and even such distinctive branches of the government as the executive and judicial branches.

Answer 3

Drafted during the years 1776 and 1777, while the colonists were still fighting for independence, the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with most of the governmental powers retained by the states. The Articles provided no separation of branches. There was no president or any other independent executive, nor was there a federal judicial branch. Congress, the legislature, was the only branch of government. Laws required unanimous votes. Members elected to congress did not vote as individuals, but as states. While congress did have some powers, it could not enforce its laws on the states or the people. States were permitted to coin their own money. There was no regulation of commerce between the states and states could even enter into treaties with foreign nations and declare war, “with the consent of Congress.” Congress could not tax the states or the people, it could only request funds to run the government. The Constitution of the United States created a form of government known as federalism. The national and state governments each has specific powers and functions while also sharing some of the same powers. The Constitution made the agreement and any laws passed under the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. Three separate branches were created, the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch had specific powers while also having the ability to check the powers of the other two branches. The national government was given the power to tax and to enforce its laws. It created a judicial system in which the Supreme Court of the United States would have the final say as to the constitutionality of laws. A system of checks and balances tied the three branches of government together under the Constitution and the legislature became a truly representative body representing the people. An important feature of the Constitution was that it could be amended to change with the times. The Articles created a confederation of independent states, not a nation. Under the Constitution, the balance of power shifted to the federal government.