Which lands were at the center of a major controversy delaying ratification of the Articles of Confederation?

• A. Western
• B. Eastern
• C. Southern
• D. Northern

Answer: (C)

Western lands were the focus. The delay in ratifying the Articles came from disputes over land claims west of the Appalachian Mountains. States with large western holdings, especially Virginia, worried that until those lands were ceded to the national government, the new Congress would be too weak or dominated by eastern interests. Maryland held out until a deal about western land claims was reached, and once Virginia ceded those lands, ratification could proceed. So the lands at the center of the controversy were the western lands, not lands in the East, North, or South.