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***