- Lack of a strong executive branch: The Articles of Confederation did not create a separate executive branch, which made it difficult to enforce laws and coordinate government actions. This weakness was addressed in the U.S. Constitution by creating the office of the President, who has the power to enforce laws, negotiate treaties, and command the military.
- Weak central government: The Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government, with most power reserved for the individual states. This made it difficult to address national issues, such as trade regulations and foreign policy. The U.S. Constitution strengthened the central government by giving it more power to regulate interstate commerce, conduct foreign policy, and collect taxes.
- Unicameral legislature: The Articles of Confederation created a unicameral legislature, meaning there was only one house of Congress. This made it difficult to pass laws, as there was no system of checks and balances between different legislative bodies. The U.S. Constitution created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives and the Senate, which allows for more deliberation and compromise in the legislative process.
- Lack of an independent judiciary: The Articles of Confederation did not create an independent judiciary, which meant that judges were subject to the whims of the state legislatures that appointed them. This made it difficult to ensure fair and impartial justice. The U.S. Constitution created an independent judiciary, with judges appointed for life by the President and confirmed by the Senate, which helps to protect their independence and ensure equal justice under the law.
- Unanimous vote requirement: The Articles of Confederation required a unanimous vote of all states to amend the document, which made it extremely difficult to make any changes to the government. This weakness was addressed in the U.S. Constitution by requiring only a two-thirds majority vote of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states to amend the Constitution.
These weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to the development of a stronger and more effective federal government under the U.S. Constitution, which addressed the shortcomings of the previous system and established a framework for a more unified and prosperous nation.