Differences Between Articles of Confederation and Constitution

Amending Document

Articles- 13/13 needed to amend articles Constitution- 2/3 of both houses of congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention.

Passing Laws

Articles- 9/13 to approve legislation Constitution- majority of both houses (50%+1) plus signature of president

Levying Taxes

Articles- Congress could request states to pay taxes Constitution- Congress has the right to levy taxes on individuals

Raising an army

Articles- congress couldn't draft troops, and was dependent on states to contribute forces Constitution- congress can raise an army to deal with military situations

Coining Money

Articles- congress had the power to coin money, but not the sole power to do so Constitution- national government has the sole power to coin money

Representation of states

Articles- each state 1 vote regardless of size Constitution- House of Reps depends on size, Senate 2 votes each

Interstate Commerce

Articles- no control of trade between states Constitution- controlled by congress

Executive Power

Articles- no executive with power, president merely presided over congress Constitution- executive branch held by president who chooses cabinet and checks on power of judiciary and legislature

Regulate Trade

Articles- no provision to regulate interstate trade Constitution- congress can regulate trade between states

Federal Courts

Articles- no system of federal courts Constitution- court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states

Sovereignity

Articles- sovereignty resides in states Constitution- constitution is supreme law of the land