I understand that the Articles of Confederation is NOT the Constitution, BUT the Articles state—“Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.” This is the status they held PRIOR to joining the United States of America via the Constitution....why would they accept a lesser status to ratify the Constitution? That makes no sense and gives them no benefit.
And yet they did. All of them.
You're right. It wasn't the Constitution.
...why would they accept a lesser status to ratify the Constitution? That makes no sense and gives them no benefit.
Because the Articles of Confederation didn't work and they needed something that did.
Even in what you quote from the Articles it recoginizes that powers given to the United States are it own. In the case of rebellion and acts of war against the United States the President is Commander-in-Chief and was goven the power and sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States.
No where is any process for seccession written out beyond possibly an act of agreement by all of the States. The President has a sworn duty to protect every United States citizen from an act of war or rebellion against them.