Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses that made national decision-making ineffective.

Features of the Articles of Confederation

• No chief executive existed to enforce laws, resulting in a weak central government.
• Approval of laws required 9/13 of the states' votes, which made it difficult to pass important legislation because states often disagreed on major issues.
• The government could not raise a national army, making it difficult to defend against external threats or maintain order.

Advantages of the Constitution

• The Constitution is superior to the Articles because it established a Bicameral Congress, consisting of:
  • The House of Representatives (based on population).
  • The Senate (equal representation for each state).
• The Bicameral Congress ensured fairer lawmaking.
• The Constitution gave the Federal Government the authority to tax, allowing it to fund national defense and other essential functions.
• The Articles of Confederation did not empower the government to tax its citizens, hence leaving the government weak.

Shay's Rebellion Aftermath

• Shay's Rebellion demonstrated the inefficiency of the Articles of Confederation.
• Representatives from each state convened to revise the Articles, which was known as the Constitutional Convention
• George Washington came out of retirement to become the first U.S. president after this incident.

The Great Compromise

• The Great Compromise was an agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature for Congress.
• The bicameral legislature consists of:
  • The House of Representatives (based on population).
  • The Senate (equal representation for each state).
• The compromise provides a clear structure in government with fair checks and balances for making laws.

Three-Fifths Compromise

• Three-fifths of the total enslaved population would be counted for taxation and representation.

Anti-Federalists' Opposition to the Constitution

• The Anti-Federalists feared the national government would overpower states and individual liberties due to too much federal power.
• Lacking a Bill of Rights, they worried about the absence of clear protections for citizens’ freedoms, leading to demands for it.

How a Bill Becomes Law

• A bill is proposed in Congress.
• It then undergoes debate and voting in the House and Senate.
• Finally, it is sent to the President to either sign or veto it.
• If vetoed, Congress can override with a 2/3 majority vote.

Principles of the Constitution

• Separation of Powers divides the government into three branches to prevent any one branch from holding too much power.
  • Legislative (Congress) makes laws.
  • Executive (President) enforces laws.
  • Judicial (Supreme Court) interprets laws.
• This ensures the government only has power with the people's consent.
• Checks and Balances prevents any branch from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.
• For example, the President can veto laws, Congress can override vetoes, and the Supreme Court can rule laws unconstitutional.

Explore the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the advantages of the Constitution. Understand how the Constitution's Bicameral Congress and federal taxing authority improved governance and national defense. Learn about the shift from state-centric to a more balanced federal system.