Individual states refer to the separate and autonomous political entities that make up a larger country or federation. In the context of the Articles of Confederation, individual states had significant power and authority.
Related terms
Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority (federal government) and regional entities (individual states).
Devolution: The transfer of powers from a central government to regional governments within a federal system.
States' Rights: The principle that individual states should have certain powers reserved exclusively for them, rather than being controlled by the central government.