THIS ^^
The 17th Amendment destroyed the republic more fully than even the 16th. It completely altered the basis of federalism.
At the birth of the nation, people’s ‘country’ was there the state they domiciled in. They were citizen’s of their state.
Until the 14th amendment.
The 14th created the notion, out of thin air, of an American citizen. Hence, The People were citizens of BOTH their state they reside in, and the nation as a whole.
The 14th had a role to play, as you state the 17th and 16th did.