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Fact check: Which US states have had the strongest independence movements since 1865?
1. Summary of the results
The strongest independence movements in the US since 1865 have primarily centered around Texas and California in recent years [1]. The Texas independence movement (TEXIT) has gained particular traction, with support from state-level GOP officials [2]. A notable historical precedent was the Conch Republic movement in 1982, and significant activity emerged in California following the 2016 election [3].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several crucial contextual elements need to be considered:
- Legal Reality: These movements are legally impossible and largely symbolic, with significant constitutional barriers preventing actual secession [1].
- Broader Geographic Scope: Beyond Texas and California, there are active independence movements in:
- Alaska
- New England
- Puerto Rico [4]
- Vermont [5]
- Public Opinion Data:
- 24% of Americans supported peaceful state secession in a 2014 Reuters poll [5]
- Approximately one-third of Republicans nationally and half in former Confederate states support secession [2]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The question's focus on post-1865 movements might lead to overlooking important context:
- The most significant independence movement in US history was the Confederate States secession in 1860-1861, involving ten states [3]. This event's legacy continues to influence modern secessionist movements.
- The question might suggest these movements have substantial practical potential, when in reality they face insurmountable legal barriers [1].
- Support for these movements often fluctuates based on political events and demographic factors [5], making it difficult to definitively rank their "strength" without specific metrics.
- The movements often serve as political leverage tools rather than genuine attempts at independence, with various political groups benefiting from the narrative of state independence to advance other agendas or express political dissatisfaction.