Maryland was the last of the original 13 states to ratify the Articles of Confederation, completing the process in 1781.
Maryland ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, after delaying approval for more than three years. The state's main objection involved western land claims held by states such as Virginia. Maryland wanted those lands transferred to the United States rather than allowing a few states to expand disproportionately.
Congress was informed of Maryland's assent on March 1, 1781, and officially proclaimed the Articles to be in force. The Articles had been submitted to the states in November 1777, but the ratification process stalled while Congress and the states debated territorial claims.
The Articles created a league of states with a comparatively weak central government. Congress lacked several powers later granted by the Constitution, including broad authority to tax individuals directly and regulate interstate commerce. These limitations contributed to calls for the Constitutional Convention of 1787.