Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution
Disputes Between States: Articles of Confederation
Complicated system of arbitration.
Interstate Commerce: Constitution
Interstate commerce controlled by Congress.
Interstate Commerce: Articles of Confederation
No control of trade between states.
Executive: Articles of Confederation
No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presided over Congress.
Regulation of Trade: Articles of Confederation
No provision to regulate interstate trade.
Federal Courts: Articles of Confederation
No system of Federal Courts
Sovereignty: Articles of Confederation
Sovereignty resides in states.
Amending Document: Constitution
2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention
Passing Laws: Constitution
50% +1 of both houses plus signature of President.
Passing Laws: Articles of Confederation
9/13 states needed to approve legislation.
Amending Document: Articles of Confederation
13/13 needed to amend articles.
Disputes Between States: Constitution
Federal court system to handle disputes between states and residents of different states.
Raising an Army: Constitution
Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations
Raising an Army: Articles of Confederation
Congress could not draft troops and was dependent of states to contribute forces.
Levying Taxes: Articles of Confederation
Congress could request states to pay taxes.
Levying Taxes: Constitution
Congress has the right to levy taxes on individuals.
Regulation of Trade: Constitution
Congress has the right to regulate trade between states.
Sovereignty: Constitution
Constitution was established as the supreme law of the land.
Federal Courts: Constitution
Court system created to deal with issues between, citizens, states.
Representation of States: Articles of Confederation
Each state received one vote regardless of size.
Executive: Constitution
Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature
Representation of States: Constitution
Upper house, (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (House of Representatives) based on population ***GREAT COMPROMISE***