Major Differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

Proportion of states required to amend document

AC: All C: Three-fourths

Selection of members of Congress

AC: Appointed by state legislatures C: Representatives elected by popular vote; senators appointed by state legislatures (Note: Senators are now elected by popular vote according to the 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913.)

Taxes

AC: Collected by the states, apportioned by Congress C: Collected and apportioned by Congress

Body authorized to settle disputes between states

AC: Congress C: Supreme Court

Power to coin money

AC: National government and the states C: National government only

Apportionment of members of Congress

AC: No fewer than two and no more than seven delegates per state C: Representatives apportioned according to state population size; two senators per state

Judiciary

AC: No national court system C: Supreme Court; Congress authorized to establish national court system

Executive

AC: None C: President

Voting in Congress

AC: One vote per state C: One vote per representative; one vote per senator

Term of legislative office

AC: One year C: Two years for representatives; six years for senators

Source of congressional pay

AC: States C: National government

Legislature

AC: Unicameral Congress C: Bicameral Congress divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate