I suppose it all depends upon how you define it. By 1776 we were not just a collection of states with trade policies between them. We had declared independence from the king and had a confederation of sovereign states document written called the articles of confederation, that was the framework of the constitution. To an American patriot we were a nation. To a tory, a bootlicker or those opposing the no kings protesting we were still British crown until the last redcoat left in 1783. I see which side you fall on.
