...the Articles of Confederation: ARTICLE I The stile of this confederacy shall be "The United States of America." ARTICLE II Each State retains its sovereignty,...league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves...

...recognised their continued sovereignty. Article III enunciated the pledge of each independent state to "enter into a firm league of friendship with each...the security of their liberties and their mutual and general welfare."40 Similar provisions held together the Helvetic Confederation from 1291 to 1800;...

...which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled. III. The said States hereby severally enter into a...league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves...

...people ordaining a constitution stands in sharp contrast with that of the Articles of Confederation: "The said states hereby severally enter into a firm...friendship with each other for their common defence . . . binding themselves to assist each other."27 Somewhat more light is shed on the views of the convention...

...South Carolina and Georgia. Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America." Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty,...league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves...

...to the United Confederated States in Congress assembled (hereafter referred to as the "Congress. " Article III. The said states hereby severally enter...league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves...

...military alliance, as something more like NATO than like the federal government under the US Constitution: "The said states hereby severally enter into a firm...the security of their Liberties, and their mutual general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks...

...arguments for a strong central government and chose instead a "firm league of friendship," united primarily "for their common defence, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare...." 43 When the Constitutional Convention assembled in l787, the need for a strong central government had...

...South Carolina and Georgia. Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America." Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty,...league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves...

...the national government only limited authority. Among the significant articles from the document are: Article II: Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom,...league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves...