Vermont

Early in America’s history Vermont sought secession. Resentment came from colonial land disputes between New York and New Hampshire. When the territory was awarded to New York, the state sought to legally undo all of the land claims in the area, to the anger of people already living there.

When they got no support for statehood from the Continental Congress, they seceded and formed the Vermont Republic. Unfortunately for them, Britain saw them as a chink in the American rebels’ armor and marched on them. Vermont was in negotiations to join Canada when the rest of America won the war.

Despite a rather cowardly history of the movement, there is a revived independence movement. The Second Vermont Republic wants to secede from the union and form its own nation. They are even running candidates in the 2010 election on the secessionist platform.

You know there are serious when they have bumper stickers.