have any states in the twentieth century ever considered leaving the Union?

Question

have any states in the twentieth century ever considered leaving the Union? if so, which states and why? please provide details and sources

Answer 1

No states have successfully seceded, but a county did.

Monroe County, FL.

In April 1982, the USA was in the grip of another "ZOMG! People are sneaking over our borders and causing ALL KINDS of havoc!" ...as you do every so often.

This time it wasn't terrorists from Planet X but Cuban exiles. Some political idiot claimed they were all coming through the Keys (which is actually trickier to hit than Miami-Dade due to the currents) so a roadblock and border controls were set up at Florida City - effectively calling everything below that line a hostile foreign power.

Naturally, this hacked off the Keysiders - not just for the insult, but because it delayed all produce coming in and the meat-handed searches spoiled a lot of the produce coming out, and tourists stayed away because of the inconvenience. While a lot of rich folks live in the Keys, they didn't make that money there - native Conchs are often on the breadline with real estate sharks circling outside.

Anyhow, Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow and other prominent citizens tried to obtain a judicial review against the blockade - but were told "No dice, son, it's our NATIONAL SECURITY over your petty insignificant freedoms". (Funny how things change, innit?)

Upon leaving the Federal Courthouse in Miami, Wardlow announced the next day at noon, the Keys would secede from the Union. And everybody laughed...

But at noon, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform.

After precisely one minute of rebellion Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded $1bn in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild after the long and unjust Federal siege!

Apart from a tap on the head with stale Cuban bread, no damage had been done to Federal forces... but the point had been made, loud and clear and in good humour, on national and international TV, turning the Feds into a global diplomatic laughing stock.

The border and roadblock was quietly dismantled a couple of days later, but the Conchs still fiercely defend their independence- including against an "invasion" by the 478th Reserve Battalion in 1995, bombing the somewhat surprised reservists and civil servants with bread. By 11pm that night the US formally surrendered with a fax on U.S. Department of the Army letterhead stating that they had "...in no way meant to challenge or impugn the sovereignty of the Conch Republic".

There's an Independence Festival week in April and the annual naval battle against the US Coast Guard (stale cuban bread and fire hoses only).

All to prove that above all else, "We Seceded Where Others Failed". And yes, the jokes get worse as the alcohol flows.

It's a fantastic party if ever you manage to get down there. But the moral of the story is... never underestimate the power of humour to fight evil and injustice. The devil cannot abide laughter.

Answer 2

Not a bad idea, Maybe the government would sit up and take notice if some of the states did ban together and decide they no longer wanted to be a part of this government and they would become an alliance unto their selves.
But seriously that would not be necessary if the American constitution was upheld as it was originally written instead of being changed and modified at the wimps of our present government. Secondly I believe that what candidates for the president election state on their platforms what they are going to do, they should be held to comply. Isn't that why we are voting for them in the first place. They say what ever they want to get our votes and then they do as they darn well please. This makes a mockery of the whole system.

Answer 3

I can't think of any, no. The advantages of federal funding, federalism infrastructure, and federal protection are far too great. Not even George Wallace would've dared.

There have been, of course, many incidents of crackpots and local cities and townships that have wanted to "secede."

To double check, look up "secession" in Wikipedia, and check for any 1900s tendencies. (Wait, I just did -- apparently a few websites advocating nations of Hawaii and California, and also a not-serious movement for the Florida Keys.)

Answer 4

No state has ever attempted to leave the Union. Otherwise, another civil war will be on.

Answer 5

over the years the state of washington has become closer and closer to canada and further and futher away from america, they will obviously never break away but if a state ever did break away it may just be them

Answer 6

Yes Montana. At present. They are sick of being crapped on by George Bush, If we were our own country , we would recieve aid to repair our infrastructure.

Answer 7

why do yu want details and source?, are you trying to get out of finding info for an exam or project, well i got news for you BUCKO look it up in a book or tell your teacher your a dud!

Answer 8

Texas had a vote on it but it failed this was in the 70's

Answer 9

none of them have... texas should though. we used to be our own country.

Answer 10

puerto rico, but we wont let them