<Tr> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> Delaware </Td> <Td> February 1, 1779 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> Maryland </Td> <Td> February 2, 1781 </Td> </Tr> <P> The Articles of Confederation contain a preamble, thirteen articles, a conclusion, and a signatory section . The individual articles set the rules for current and future operations of the confederation's central government . Under the Articles, the states retained sovereignty over all governmental functions not specifically relinquished to the national Congress, which was empowered to make war and peace, negotiate diplomatic and commercial agreements with foreign countries, and to resolve disputes between the states . The document also stipulates that its provisions "shall be inviolably observed by every state" and that "the Union shall be perpetual". </P> <P> Summary of the purpose and content of each of the 13 articles: </P>

As established by the articles of confederation the national government could