Liberty Lifestyle: The States That Wanted to Govern Themselves

Americans have a long history of wanting to govern themselves, especially when they feel their leaders aren't representing their interests. Today, movements to divide California into smaller states and shift parts of Oregon into Idaho show that the desire for more local control is still alive. But this isn't a new idea. Long before America had 50 states, communities were declaring independence, drawing their own boundaries, and establishing governments of their own. Some of these experiments lasted only a few months, while others survived for years.

The Colonies

Throughout America’s history, there have always been times when people felt they could better rule themselves than the government could. Americans established their own governments for several reasons. Some were frustrated by their political leaders, others wanted to protect their religion or other freedoms, there were those who felt the government wasn’t meeting their needs, and others who lived in disputed territories, such as in the colonial days.

In 1772, about 70 homesteads had been developed along the Watauga River in what is now northeastern Tennessee. Many had come from Virginia and North Carolina looking for land opportunities. The problem was that surveys put the area outside colonial boundaries and the territory was recognized as belonging to the Cherokee people. Also, British authorities had forbidden settlement on Native American lands and the settlers were ordered to leave.

Instead, these early settlers negotiated a ten-year lease with the Cherokee. Then came the business of deciding who would settle disputes and maintain order, so they established the Watauga Association that created a basic government modeled after Virginia’s legal system. However, as the American Revolution began, conflicts with the Cherokee increased, and in 1776, the residents petitioned North Carolina to bring their territory under its authority.

Creating Self-Governing States

Independence from local rule has been a big motivator for Americans who wished to create their own self-governing states.

In 1803, the US purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, but Spain insisted that West Florida wasn’t part of that deal. Even though the US didn’t agree, it allowed Spain to continue governing the area instead of risking a war. In 1808, Spain appointed Col. Charles Delassus as governor and the American settlers became frustrated with corruption and his poor leadership. They learned that Delassus was secretly planning to arrest their leaders, so they decided to act first.

Smithsonian Magazine described the battle as:

“In the predawn fog of September 23, 1810, about 50 men, led by Revolutionary War veteran Philemon Thomas, walked in the open gate of Fort San Carlos in Baton Rouge. An additional 25 men on horseback rode through a gap in the fort’s wall. Spanish soldiers discharged a handful of muskets before Thomas’ men let go a single volley that killed or wounded five Spaniards. The remaining soldados surrendered or fled.”

The fight was over almost as soon as it began, and the rebels declared their independence and established the Republic of West Florida. However, just a few months later, President James Madison brought the area under American control without going to war with Spain.

The Republic of Texas was one of the most successful examples, operating nearly ten years as an independent nation before joining the United States. It had its own president, constitution, army, and even currency.

Texas was part of Mexico, which had gained independence from Spain in 1821. However, things started going south as tensions between the Mexican government and the settlers escalated. Settlers opposed Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna and his government, and while the initial intent wasn’t independence, by 1836 the independence movement had gained enough support for delegates to meet at Washington-on-the-Brazos. On March 2, they adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence.

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On March 6, 1836, the Alamo fell to Santa Anna’s army, and later that month hundreds of Texan prisoners were executed at Goliad. On April 21 of that year, General Sam Houston’s army defeated Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto and captured Santa Anna the next day. Houston became the republic's first elected president.

Just months later, in September, voters supported annexation but the US was reluctant because doing so could provoke a war with Mexico, which still claimed the territory. It took years before Congress, in 1845, finally approved the annexation, and on Dec. 29, Texas officially became the 28th state. When it joined the US, the agreement included a provision allowing for the possible creation of up to four additional states from Texas territory.

Present Day

While earlier Americans fought for independence and self-governing abilities, today’s citizens look to adjust state boundaries instead of establishing new governments. And they are doing so using the constitutional process instead of simply declaring themselves independent.

In 2018, billionaire Tim Draper backed a proposal known as Cal 3, which would have divided California into three states: Northern California, California, and Southern California. The initiative qualified for the ballot, but the California Supreme Court ordered it removed before voters could decide.

In August 2025, then-Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 23, saying that rural and inland communities don’t have enough influence over decisions made in Sacramento, the state’s capital. Supporters argue that California's population and regional differences make it difficult for one state government to represent everyone adequately. Critics question the practicality, costs, and political consequences of division.

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The idea hasn't disappeared. In 2026, California lawmakers considered Assembly Joint Resolution 23, which proposes creating a separate state from northern and inland counties. Unlike the 2018 proposal, this would divide California into two states, not three. As CalMatters explained: “The Legislature gives its consent for a group of specified counties — mainly northern and inland counties, plus any neighboring counties that vote to join — to form a new state from within California’s current borders, affecting residents of those counties. The resolution also urges Congress to accept that consent.”

The Greater Idaho movement proposes moving much of eastern Oregon into Idaho. Supporters believe the rural region has more in common politically, culturally, and economically with Idaho than with Oregon's larger western cities.

The state of Washington is facing similar proposals. Supporters say that Eastern Washington’s agricultural communities have different priorities than the more populated Puget Sound region, which includes Seattle, especially concerning taxes and environmental regulations. Proposals include establishing a separate state, which some call Liberty.

From the settlers along the Watauga River to the independent Republic of Texas, Americans have never been shy about challenging governments they believe don't represent them. Today's movements may rely on petitions, legislation, and elections rather than armed rebellions, but the underlying frustration is much the same.