For all practical purposes they were, or damn close to it. Modern conceptions of the nation-state are post-Napoleon, so when the Articles of Confederation and l

For all practical purposes they were, or damn close to it. Modern conceptions of the nation-state are post-Napoleon, so when the Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution were put together, Union meant Union, however post-Civil War, that came to matter much much less. There was an episode during the ratification debates where Rhode Island was almost left out of the United States. 12 other States had already ratified the new US Constitution but Rhode Island held out for more concessions until eventually it was decided that Rhode Island could ratify or leave the Union. Considering they were surrounded by much larger States who had prior grievances with Rhode Island, Rhode Island made the right call. Otherwise they’d likely be part of New York or Massachusetts right now.