Question

what characteristics of the Confederate States of America made it a confederate government when compared to the government of the United States?

Answer 1

A federal government and a confederate government differ in where the majority of the power lies.  In a federal government the central government holds the most power and states have less.  In a confederate government the states hold the majority of the power.  The Confederate States of America acted as sovereign states with each state having little influence from a more powerful central government.