What characteristics of the confederate states of america made it a confederal government when compared to the government of the united states?

The Confederate States of America had a weaker central government than the United States, and individual states had more sovereignty and power than US states. The central government of the Confederate States handled only foreign issues or national economic issues.

The characteristic of the Confederate States of America made it a confederal government when compared to the US which focused much more on state's individualism instead of acting as one unit.