The Articles of Confederation vs. The US Constitution

Write the word Articles if the item is found in the Articles of Confederation. If the Constitution is described, write Constitution.

 

1) Legislature

_Constitution_: Bicameral, called Congress, divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

__ Articles __:            Unicameral, called Congress.

 

2) Members of Congress

__ Articles __:            Between two and seven members per state.

_Constitution_: Two Senators per state, Representatives apportioned according to population of each state.

 

3) Voting in Congress

_Constitution_: One vote per Representative or Senator.

__ Articles __:            One vote per state.

 

4) Appointment of members

__ Articles __:            All appointed by state legislatures, in the manner each legislature directed.

_Constitution_: Representatives elected by popular vote, Senators appointed by state legislatures.

 

5) Term of legislative office

_Constitution_: Two years for Representatives, six for Senators.

__ Articles __:            One year.

 

6) Congressional Pay

_Constitution_: Paid by the federal government.

__ Articles __:            Paid by states.

 

7) Chair of legislature

_Constitution_: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Vice President is President of the Senate.

__ Articles __:            President of Congress.

 

8) Executive:     __ Articles __:            None               _Constitution_: President

 

9) National Judiciary

__ Articles __:            Maritime judiciary established.

_Constitution_: Federal judiciary established, including Supreme Court.

 

10) Who settles disputes between states?

_Constitution_: Supreme Court.

__ Articles __:            Congress.

 

11) New States

__ Articles __:            Admitted upon agreement of nine states (special exemption provided for Canada).

_Constitution_: Admitted upon agreement of Congress.

 

12) Amendment

__ Articles __:            When agreed upon by all states.

_Constitution_: When agreed upon by three-fourths of all states.

 

13) Armed forces

__ Articles __:            Congress authorized to build a navy; states authorized to equip warships; to counter piracy; Congress to decide on size of force and to requisition troops from each state according to population.

_Constitution_: Congress authorized to build a navy; states not allowed to keep ships of war; Congress authorized to raise and support armies.

 

14 Power to coin money and Taxation

__ Articles __:            United States and the states; taxes apportioned by Congress, collected by the states.

_Constitution_: United States only; taxes laid and collected by Congress.

 

15) Ratification

__ Articles __:            Unanimous consent required.

_Constitution_:          Consent of nine states required.