The following chart
compares
some of the provisions of the Articles of Confederation with those in
the
Constitution. It's important to note that most commentators see the
Articles
period (1781-1789) as a weak one in terms of governmental power.
Whether
that is a positive or negative for the United States depends on one's
point
of view regarding the size and influence of a national government.
Those favoring a limited government, (Libertarians, for example) would
view the Articles period as the pinnacle of American freedom, while
those favoring a strong central government would see it as a failure.
Articles of Confederation |
Constitution |
|
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 and was 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
between states and residents of different states. |
Sovereignty
|
Sovereignty resides in states
|
Constitution was established as the supreme law of the land
|
Passing laws
|
9/13 states needed to approve legislation
|
50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President
|
Please cite this source when appropriate:
Feldmeth, Greg D. "Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution," U.S. History Resources
http://www.polytechnic.org/faculty/gfeldmeth/chart.art.html (24 June
2004