Articles of Confederation Vs The Constitution Articles of

Articles of Confederation Vs. The Constitution

Articles of Confederation • Dates: 1781 -1787 • Type of Government: Confederation-firm league of friendship among the 13 states • Branches of government: one- a unicameral Congress; executive and legislative duties combined in Congress • President? No, Congress performed both executive and legislative functions

• Who has the power? States held the most power! • Weaknesses of Articles: – Gave each state one vote regardless of size – Gave Congress no power to tax – No president – No judicial branch – Provided no common currency – No power over trade – No coercive power – Amendment only with the consent of all states – No army

The Constitution • Dates: Ratified 1789 - present! • Type of Government: Federal governmentpower divided between a central government and state governments • Branches of government: yes- 3 – Executive (carries out the laws) – Legislative (makes the laws) – Judicial (interprets the laws) • President? yes

• Who has the power? Federalism: power divided between national and state governments • Problems “fixed” under the Constitution: – Bicameral Congress- one house based on pop. and the other on equal representation – Congress may tax – Created a President – Separate judicial branch – Congress has power to coin money – Congress has power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce – States have powers but are limited by the Constitution – 2/3 of congress can propose an amendment to the Constitution; ¾ of states needed to ratify an Amendment – Congress can create army/navy