What are the main differences between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States, drafted by the Continental Congress during the Revolution and ratified in 1781. However, it was weak in several key areas that the Constitution addressed.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the states maintained their sovereignty and independence, and the national government was comprised of a unicameral Congress with no executive or judicial branch. There was no power to tax, weak military and no regulation of interstate commerce. On the other hand, the U.S. Constitution established a strong federal government divided into three separate branches. It granted Congress the power to tax, regulate commerce, and control the military. The judicial branch was established to interpret the law, and the executive branch provided for a single chief executive, the President.

Another key difference is the way the Constitution handled representation. The Articles provided one vote per state, regardless of size or population, while the Constitution established a bicameral legislature with representation in the lower house determined by population and equal representation in the upper house. The Constitution also allowed for the amendment process, which was absent from the Articles of Confederation.

In summary, whereas the Articles of Confederation created a weak government that was unable to effectively exercise its power, the U.S. Constitution established a stronger federal government that could better address the needs of the nation and its citizens.