The U.S. Constitution Replaces the Articles of Confederation
In 1787, shortly after the rebellion had been ended, Americans began to call for significant revisions to the Articles of Confederation. Several months later, delegates from across the country met in Philadelphia to draft what would become the U.S. Constitution. Advocates of a strong federal government, like Alexander Hamilton, used the rebellion to support their position. The new Constitution was ratified in 1788 and officially replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789.
Constitution vs. the Articles of Confederation
|
Constitution |
Articles of Confederation |
|---|---|
|
Three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) |
Legislative branch only |
|
Bicameral (Senate and House of Representatives) |
Unicameral (one house) |
|
Two votes in the Senate; votes based on population in the House of Representatives |
One vote per state in Congress |
|
Federal government controls interstate commerce |
Congress could not regulate interstate commerce |
|
Federal government has the power to tax |
Congress could request money from the states |
|
Federal government can raise and support a military |
Congress could not raise and support a military |
|
Federal government can take on and pay debts |
States were left to pay their own debts |
|
Federal government can issue and regulate the value of money |
States created their own currency |
