Compare and Contrast – Articles vs. the Constitution
Levying Taxes
Federal Courts Regulation of Trade Executive Amending Documents Representation of States Raising an army Interstate Commerce Disputes between states Sovereignty |
Articles of Confederation
The government could request taxes, but not require it.
There were no federal courts, but many state courts. The government could not regulate trade. There was no chief executive. Amending documents required 13 of 13 states to approve. Each state had one vote. During Shay's Rebellion it was unable to raise an army and stop the rebels. The government could not regulate trade. Disputes were settled in state courts which led to problems in disputes between different states. The government could not enforce laws. |
The Constitution
The government was able to tax people.
There was one federal court. The government was able to regulate trade. There was a chief executive, also known as the president. Amending documents became less difficult. There was a bicameral legislation. The House of Representatives was by population and the Senate had equal representation. During the Whiskey Rebellion it was able to send out soldiers immediately and end the uprising. The government regulated foreign and interstate commerce. Disputes between states would be settled in a federal court. The government could enforce the laws on individuals and states. |