<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>
as established by the articles of confederation the national government could
make war and peace negotiate diplomatic and commercial agreements with foreign countries resolve disputes between the states