The Articles of Confederation gave the national government the power to

basically nothing but to kind of oversee the states, like an authority figure who had no control

The Articles of Confederation gave the national government the power to states.

Explanation:

In the year 1777, on day of November 15th, the first constitution of the USA was formulated by Continental Congress. The continental congress was formed by the members of the British American colonies.

These congress members represented and addressed the socio-economic problem of the 13 colonies of the southern region which was later declared as the United States of America.

This article has created a central government with limited powers and giving most of the power to the state governments. The Article served as the constitution and that enable them to function the central government.