Articles of Confederation & Constitution

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

The United States government has operated under two constitutions since its inception. The Articles of Confederation was ratified by Maryland on March 1, 1781 and was in effect until it was replaced by the Constitution upon its ratification by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788. The two documents differed in many respects. The Articles of Confederation was unicameral. Each state had two to seven members and who were appointed by state legislature in a manner each state directed. The Constitution is bicameral, with a House of Representatives and a Senate. Representatives were elected by popular vote and apportioned according to the population of each state. Each state was allotted two Senators appointed by that state's legislators.

Under the Articles of Confederation each state was given one vote while the Constitution provided for one vote per Reprehensive or Senator....
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