Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United StatesThe Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States are two important documents in American history that describe the structure and principles of government. While both documents aimed to establish a solid foundation for the new nation, they differ in terms of structure, powers granted to the government and the balance of power between the states and the federal government. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, was the first constitution of the United States. It created a loose union of sovereign states with a weak central government. Under these articles, the federal government had limited powers and was unable to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or raise an army. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its size or population, leading to a lack of representation for larger states. The Articles also lacked a strong executive branch and a national court system, making it difficult to enforce laws and resolve disputes between states. On the other hand, the United States Constitution, ratified in 1789, created a more centralized government with distinct powers (the executive branch). , legislative and judicial) and a system of checks and balances to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful. The Constitution granted the federal government the power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and raise an army, giving it more power to meet the needs of the nation. The Constitution also introduced the concept of federalism, where power is shared between the federal government and the states, ensuring a balance of power between the two levels of government. The development of the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution reflects challenges and debates. that the founding fathers faced in creating a stable and effective government. The articles' weaknesses, such as the inability to raise revenue or enforce laws, led to calls for a stronger central government that could respond more effectively to the nation's needs. The Constitutional Convention's debates focused on key issues such as representation in Congress, the powers of the federal government, and states' rights. The Great Compromise, which established a bicameral legislature with population-based representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate, resolved the representation question. The division of powers between the federal government and the states, as defined in the Constitution, addressed concerns about the balance of power and the protection of individual rights. A key example of the differences between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution can be seen in their approach to taxation. Under these sections, the federal government did not have the power to levy taxes, which significantly limited its ability to raise revenue for essential functions such as national defense. This lack of financial resources contributed to the government's inability to repay war debts or maintain stability within the country. As a result, the economy suffered and the government struggled to carry out its basic functions. In contrast, the United States Constitution granted the federal government the power to raise taxes, thereby providing it with the resources needed to.