What is the difference between articles of confederation and bill of rights?
The United States of America has a national constitution center. The center has rare copies of the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and declaration of independence.
These documents play a crucial role in fostering equality and the quest for liberty. Keep in mind that each state has its rules and regulations drawn from these documents.
The main difference between articles of confederation and bill of rights is that the former is formed to preserve the independence and sovereignty of a state while the latter is formed to give people a sense of security for their liberties from the federal government.
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Comparison Table (Articles of Confederation vs Bill of Rights)
| Basic Terms | Articles of Confederation | Bill of Rights |
| Definition | The agreement that formed the first constitution of the United States of America. | These are the first 10 amendments made in the United States constitution. |
| Significance | Help to preserve the independence and sovereignty of a state. | Bring a sense of security for people of their liberties from the federal government. |
| Approval | 1777 | 1787 |
| Role | Outline things that the government needs to do. | Outline things that the government should not do. |
| Effect | Americans initially resisted the document. | Americans were happy and satisfied with the document. |
What Is Articles of Confederation?
It is a document that consists of rules for every state in the 18th Century. The perpetual union and articles of confederation was a bond signed by the 13 states in the United States of America.
The document was among the earliest agreement for a central government. It implies that the central system was a weak one.
This written document is embellished to bring ideas that enhance friendly bonds between the states. The articles of confederation were resisted by Americans during the initial stages but later got accepted.
The discussion and reorganization of the document made it get accepted. The main purpose was to divide powers equally among all the states.
Drafting of this document was done by 13 people selected as the committee. John Dickson was the chairperson of the committee and presented the final draft on 12th July 1776.
The draft was later ratified by Virginia followed by others in 1779. The purpose was to give minimal powers to the central government. It was later headed by an unstructured central government.
What Is the Bill of Rights?
It is the first 10 amendments of the constitution. These amendments were brought about by the American leaders to eliminate the challenges facing the young nations.
Establishing a more efficient and powerful federal state was the main option. The constitution separated the executive, judiciary, and legislature.
But these branches of the federal government had absolute powers. It resulted in chaos and fear among many Americans regarding their rights.
The introduction of the bill of rights gave people a sense of security regarding their liberties from the federal government.
Some of the main amendments in the bill of rights are freedom of speech and religion, freedom from arrest without warrant, right to trial by the jury, and assurance of other rights for people.
Main Difference between Articles of Confederation and Bill of Rights
- Articles of confederation are the agreement that formed the first constitution. Bill of rights refers to the first 10 amendments in the constitution.
- Articles of Confederation target to preserve the independence and sovereignty of each state. Bill of rights targets to bring a sense of security and liberties to people.
- Articles of confederation were approved in 1777. Bills of rights were approved in 1787.
- Articles of confederation outline things the government should do. Bill of rights outlines things that the government should not do.
- Americans initially resisted articles of confederation. Americans were happy and satisfied with the Bill of rights.
Similarities between Articles of Confederation and Bill of Rights
- Both have preambles.
- Both were drafted by educated white men of property.
- Both represent the best for Americans.
In Conclusion
The articles of confederation and perpetual union were the first constitution of the United States of America. The purpose was to preserve the independence and sovereignty of each state.
Many Americans resisted the articles of confederation due to the loopholes causing the challenges. Virginia tried to ratify the article of confederation in 1779 and it later got accepted by the people.
The first 10 amendments in the U.S constitution are the Bill of rights. The purpose of these amendments is to make people feel comfortable and secured.
The introduction of these bills of rights in the constitution solved the fears of people as seen in the articles of confederation. Keep in mind that it outlines things that the government should not do.
More Sources and References
- https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/white-papers/the-declaration-the-constitution-and-the-bill-of-rights
- https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-difference-between-bill-rights-constitution-346005#:~:text=The%20Constitution%20was%20a%20new,structure%20of%20the%20new%20government.&text=The%20Bill%20of%20Rights%20is,of%20Rights%20guarantees%20our%20freedoms.
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/796690
- https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/stflr2&div=11&id=&page=