It was a confederation of free and independent states at that point which had seen fit to authorize a central authority to act on their behalf in certain, very limited matters.
After the Constitution was ratified it became a republic of republics in which the central government was authorized to act on behalf of the states or the people in certain, very limited, matters.
After the Constitution was ratified it became a republic of republics in which the central government was authorized to act on behalf of the states or the people in certain, very limited, matters.
Riiiight....