Day 2 Group C
Julianne Lowenstein and Emma Lukens
QUESTION:
To what extent was the United States Constitution a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation
THESIS:
The United States Constitution was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation
in that it created a structured centralized government, unifying the people and
enforcing laws that were near to impossible to pass previously.
ARTICLES VS. CONSTITUTION
Ar-cles of Confedera-on • Unified crea@on of friendship of
states • Congress has right to request tax
from states, but cannot impose – Morris tried to impose tax to
overcome infla@on, but would have needed all 13 states approval
• One house or unicameral legislature
• Ammendments were a difficult process -‐ needed 13/13 approval
• each state got 1 vote regardless of size
The Cons-tu-on • A strong centralized nation • The government has the ability
to set a tax for the people
• Two house or bicameral
legislature • Congress needs 2/3 of both
houses to ammend constitution • Senate has 2 votes, house of
representatives based on population
ARTICLES VS. CONSTITUTION (cont..)
Ar-cles of Confedera-on • Need 9/13 to pass laws • No system of federal courts • No regula@on of trade • No execu@ve with power • Congress could not draV
troops
Cons-tu-on • Need 50% + signature of
President • Court system -‐ Judiciary
branch • Congress has right to
regulate trade • President -‐ Execu@ve
Branch • Congress has ability to call
in army to deal with military situa@ons