difference between articles of confederation and constitution

The Difference between Articles of Confederation and Constitution

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution are two essential documents that significantly shaped the United States of America. Both documents represent different eras that played a crucial role in the country’s history. Although both documents have similarities, there are some distinct differences between them as well.

Table of Contents

1. Purpose and Authority

The primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to establish a united front among the thirteen colonies that constituted the United States of America. The articles focused on creating an alliance amongst the states to defend their collective interests and to secure their independences. The articles did not give the national government more authority over the individual state’s laws, and hence, resulted in an ineffective governing structure.

The Constitution, on the other hand, created a federal system that functioned with a central government and delegated less power to the states. The Constitution struck a balance between the need for centralization and the need to protect individual rights. It also defined the role of the government and gave it the power to create rules of operation and tariffs to improve the economy.

2. Structure and Powers of the Government

The Articles of Confederation had very minimal powers granted to the federal government. The document emphasized that most of the governmental powers would reside with the thirteen state legislatures. Hence, the national government was only a thought, and the states maintained the power. Diplomacy, war, army, and commerce were regulated by the Congress, which was a body created by the national government through the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitution, in contrast, created three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial arms. This separation of government powers ensured a smooth democratic process that served to break up the concentration of power. The Constitution gave Congress the ability to negotiate contracts, declare war, and oversee the budget. The president, acting as commander-in-chief, was granted the power to veto congress’s resolutions while the Supreme Court oversaw the judicial system.

3. Individual Rights

Since the Articles of Confederation primarily focused on giving power to the states, individual rights were not addressed. The Constitution, however, placed more emphasis on the rights of individuals. The Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments to the Constitution – were added to protect individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, etc.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution share some similarities when it comes to establishing the United States of America, the Constitution was a more effective document, and it still governs the country till today. The Constitution is a more nuanced document that has stood the test of time, and its influence has been felt throughout the world. The Constitution provides a more centralized federal system, emphasizes on the rights of the individual and ensures power is distributed fairly amongst the branches of the government. Hence it can be deemed as a more robust and effective document when compared to the Articles of Confederation.

Table difference between articles of confederation and constitution

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Comparison Table: Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

Note: The information in this table is not exhaustive but presents the essential differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.