There are many people who don’t know the difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Some people believe that they are the same thing. The truth is, they are two very different documents with two very different purposes. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two important pieces of American history.
What are the Articles Of Confederation?
The Articles Of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. They were ratified in 1781 and remained in effect until 1789 when they were replaced by the current Constitution.
The Articles Of Confederation established a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government that was responsible for foreign affairs and defense. The Articles gave Congress the power to declare war, but it was up to the states to provide troops and finance the war effort.
The Articles also granted Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, but it did not have the power to tax citizens or raise revenue. As a result, the Articles Of Confederation were eventually replaced by a stronger Constitution that granted more power to the central government.
What is Constitution?
A constitution is a legal document that establishes the rules, principles, and procedures governing a country or state. It may also refer to the physical document itself, as well as to the body of laws that have been enacted in accordance with it.
In addition to setting forth the framework of a government, a Constitution may spell out the rights and duties of citizens, and the powers and responsibilities of public officials. It may also serve as a tool for resolving disputes between different branches or levels of government.
Constitution-making is a complex process that often requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including political leaders, scholars, and members of the public. The end result, however, is usually a document that serves as the cornerstone of a country’s or state’s legal system.
Difference between Articles Of Confederation and Constitution
The Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the United States, was ratified in 1781.
- The Articles created a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments.
- The Constitution, which superseded the Articles of Confederation in 1789, created a stronger federal government with more power over the states.
- Unlike the Articles, which required unanimous consent of the states for amendment, the Constitution included provisions for amendment with a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress.
- The Constitution also gave Congress the power to tax, which was lacking under the Articles.
Finally, the Constitution created a system of checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, while the Articles had no such system. These differences resulted in a more stable and effective form of government that is still in place today.
Conclusion
The Articles of Confederation were ratified in 1781 and served as the first constitution of the United States. However, they had several weaknesses. For example, they gave too much power to the states and lacked an effective system for enforcing laws. In 1787, a convention was called to amend the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the creation of the Constitution. The Constitution has been amended 27 times since then, most notably with the Bill of Rights in 1791. While there are many differences between these two documents, perhaps the most important is that the Constitution establishes a strong federal government while preserving individual rights.
