a) Maryland 1781

Maryland was the last state to endorse the Articles of Confederation, doing so in 1781. The state’s delay in ratification was due to its demands for a resolution of western land claims by other states. Maryland’s ratification was critical, as unanimous consent of the 13 states was required under the Articles. This event highlights the challenges of managing diverse state interests and the limitations of the Articles of Confederation as a governing document. Maryland’s eventual ratification marked a step towards greater unity among the states, despite the Articles’ inherent weaknesses.