Answer: The U.S. Constitution was a better reflection of the principles of checks and balances and separation of powers. Unlike the Articles the Constitution explicitly created a federal government divided between 3 branches which each had the power to check and balance the behavior of the other through constitutionally granted powers. This was different from the Articles of Confederation which was essentially just a Congress. Also the powers in the constitution were separated between the three branches and each branch was given specific powers that could be checked by other branches through the process of governing..