Similarities And Differences Between The Articles Of Confederation And The Constitution
The Articles of Confederation came prior to what is known as the Constitution. The Articles of Confederation were ratified on March 1, 1781, and the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. The two documents were signed in years of one another; however, they share similarities as well as differences.
Overview and Issues with The Articles of Confederation
The first draft of The Articles of Confederation was composed by Benjamin Franklin; three additional drafts were created (History.com, 2009). The last version of it was created by Johnson Dickinson, a resident of Pennsylvania (History.com, 2009). The article explained the issues Maryland encountered with it: “By 1779 all the states had approved it except Maryland, but prospects for acceptance …show more content…
The Article of Confederation gave a significant amount of autonomy to the states (Keene, Cornell, & O'Donnell, 2013, p. 147). However, the Constitution gave more power to the Federal government’s power: “At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches–executive, legislative and judicial–along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power” (History.com, 2009). Furthermore, in the Articles of Confederation Congress did not possess power over some monetary affairs, such as taxes. (History Staff, 2009). Yet, Congress has control over country’s relations with other countries and the Native Americans (History Staff, 2009). The country transformed from having states operate as mini countries with the Articles of Confederation, to appointing a president and two other branches to the government (History Staff, 2009). On another note, the two documents have similarities (History Staff, 2009). The Articles of Confederation gave Congress the autonomy to handle foreign relations and Native American relations; the new constitution left that job to Congress and the president (History Staff, …show more content…
150). The absence of a bill of rights was one of the reasons those opposed to ratification denied their approval. With this, Constitution enthusiast James Madison knew a bill of rights was important to include (History.com Staff, 2009). Moreover, changes were made: “In September 1789 the House and Senate accepted a conference report laying out the language of proposed amendments to the Constitution” (History.com, 2009). Once the Bill of Rights was in effect, nine states approved it. The amendments created in the Bill of Rights assisted more states to ratify the Constitution (History.com, 2009).
Conclusion
The constitution still stands today; some people believe it needs reform. There are many amendments that citizens are opposed to. Yet, citizens may not be aware of the complicated process it took to get the country to be unified. The transformation from the Articles of Confederations to the Constitution was a crucial one. The founding fathers were meticulous in making the change. The change still benefits the wellbeing of the
Overview and Issues with The Articles of Confederation
The first draft of The Articles of Confederation was composed by Benjamin Franklin; three additional drafts were created (History.com, 2009). The last version of it was created by Johnson Dickinson, a resident of Pennsylvania (History.com, 2009). The article explained the issues Maryland encountered with it: “By 1779 all the states had approved it except Maryland, but prospects for acceptance …show more content…
The Article of Confederation gave a significant amount of autonomy to the states (Keene, Cornell, & O'Donnell, 2013, p. 147). However, the Constitution gave more power to the Federal government’s power: “At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches–executive, legislative and judicial–along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power” (History.com, 2009). Furthermore, in the Articles of Confederation Congress did not possess power over some monetary affairs, such as taxes. (History Staff, 2009). Yet, Congress has control over country’s relations with other countries and the Native Americans (History Staff, 2009). The country transformed from having states operate as mini countries with the Articles of Confederation, to appointing a president and two other branches to the government (History Staff, 2009). On another note, the two documents have similarities (History Staff, 2009). The Articles of Confederation gave Congress the autonomy to handle foreign relations and Native American relations; the new constitution left that job to Congress and the president (History Staff, …show more content…
150). The absence of a bill of rights was one of the reasons those opposed to ratification denied their approval. With this, Constitution enthusiast James Madison knew a bill of rights was important to include (History.com Staff, 2009). Moreover, changes were made: “In September 1789 the House and Senate accepted a conference report laying out the language of proposed amendments to the Constitution” (History.com, 2009). Once the Bill of Rights was in effect, nine states approved it. The amendments created in the Bill of Rights assisted more states to ratify the Constitution (History.com, 2009).
Conclusion
The constitution still stands today; some people believe it needs reform. There are many amendments that citizens are opposed to. Yet, citizens may not be aware of the complicated process it took to get the country to be unified. The transformation from the Articles of Confederations to the Constitution was a crucial one. The founding fathers were meticulous in making the change. The change still benefits the wellbeing of the