The Constitution of 1787 marked a significant shift in the political structure of the United States compared to the Articles of Confederation. It contributed to both maintaining continuity and fostering change in the political ideas and powers expressed in the Articles of Confederation:
**Maintaining Continuity:**
1. **Continuation of Federal Structure:** The Constitution maintained the federal structure established under the Articles of Confederation. It preserved the concept of a union of states, with each state retaining a degree of sovereignty and autonomy.
2. **Congressional Structure:** The Constitution continued to have a bicameral legislature, similar to the Articles, with a House of Representatives and a Senate. This ensured that states, both large and small, had representation in the federal government.
3. **State Sovereignty:** The Tenth Amendment of the Constitution explicitly retained powers not delegated to the federal government by the states, preserving the idea of state sovereignty to some extent.
**Fostering Change:**
1. **Stronger Central Government:** One of the most significant changes was the shift from a weak central government under the Articles to a stronger one under the Constitution. The Constitution provided for a more robust executive branch with a President and a judiciary, establishing a more effective and unified national government.
2. **Taxation and Commerce:** The Constitution granted the federal government the power to levy taxes directly on individuals and regulate interstate commerce. These were significant departures from the Articles, which had limited fiscal and economic powers.
3. **Supremacy Clause:** The Constitution's Supremacy Clause (Article VI) asserted that federal laws and the Constitution itself took precedence over state laws, a clear shift in power dynamics from the Articles.
4. **Checks and Balances:** The Constitution introduced a sophisticated system of checks and balances among the branches of government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This allowed for greater oversight and control over each branch's power, mitigating the weaknesses observed under the Articles.
5. **Bill of Rights:** The Constitution was amended shortly after its adoption to include the Bill of Rights, which protected individual freedoms and limited the power of the federal government. This was a significant change from the Articles and addressed concerns about individual rights.
In summary, the Constitution of 1787 both maintained continuity with certain aspects of the Articles of Confederation, such as the federal structure and representation, while also fostering substantial changes by strengthening the central government, expanding its powers, and introducing checks and balances. This delicate balance between continuity and change was a product of compromise and the lessons learned from the shortcomings of the Articles, ultimately shaping the foundation of the United States' political system.
Culled from AI