The United States came into being with the 13 Original Colonies and then expanded to include more territories that were later settled and then formed into states. Today the United States has 35 states that were not part of the 13 Original Colonies (Maine was split from Massachusetts and West Virginia from Virginia - so the 13 Colonies represent 15 modern states).
So which states were independent before joining the Union? In this, we will include those with the trappings of modern countries and not include the Tribal Nations - or "First Nations" (as termed by Canada). Notably today there is also the Navajo Nation within the United States today.
The Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas is perhaps the most obvious and well-known example of formerly independent republics to accede to the United States. The Republic of Texas existed from March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846 - although all through that time Mexico considered it a rebellious province.
- Date: March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846
- Population: 70,000 - 1840 (The First And Only Republic of Texas Census)
- Duration: 9 Years, 11 Months, 17 Days
- Recognition: Partially Recognized
At first Texian leaders wanted their borders to stretch all the way to the Pacific Ocean, but in the end, opted for the Rio Grande as the border. The territories it laid claim to were massive and included parts of what is today Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Wyoming. They dropped these claims in 1850 in return for $10,000,000 in Federal bonds.
The Texans always wanted to be annexed into the United States. The USA recognized Texan independence in 1837 but declined to annex the territory for some time later.
"Many Texans favored immediate annexation by the United States. However, the proposals went nowhere, because of the risk of continued war with Mexico and Texas' shaky financial status."
After the dictator, Antonio López de Santa Anna, rose to power in 1835 the call for independence among the Anglo-American colonist grew louder. Texas fought a war for independence losing the Battle of the Alamo (that one can visit today). In the Battle of San Jacinto, they defeated the Mexican army (in 18 minutes) and captured the Mexican president, and won their independence.
The Vermont Republic
The missing colony of the "13 Original Colonies" - the 13 British Colonies that revolted and joined the Declaration of Independence - was Vermont. Vermont chose to go its own way and try to be an independent country in its own right - no Britain and no United States.
- Name: Officially Called The State of Vermont
- Date: January 15, 1777, to March 4, 1791
- Duration: 14 Years
- Recognition: Unrecognized
It existed from January 15, 1777, to March 4, 1791, and was formed when delegates from 28 towns met and declared independence from the jurisdictions and land claims of the British colonies of Quebec, New Hampshire, and New York.
The state would live on for 14 years but was never recognized by anyone. In the end, it was admitted to the United States in 1791. The laws that had been enacted while it was independent continued in effect after admission.
The Continental Congress refused to recognize it - partly due to objections from New York. It nearly re-joined the British North American possessions after the British accepted their offer. But they chose to change course following the British defeat at Yorktown in 1781. Read more about the history of Vermont on Vermont History.
The Kingdom of Hawaii
The Hawaiian Kingdom was formed in 1795 by the warrior chief Kamehameha the Great occurring the other islands of the archipelago and unifying them under one government. This was completed when the remaining islands joined volunteeringly in 1810.
- Hawaiian Kingdom: 1795 to 1893
- Republic of Hawaii: 1894 to 1898
- Annexation: July 4, 1898
- Recognition: Unrecognized
The Hawaiian kingdom went on to be recognized by the major European powers of the day. The United States became its greatest trading partner and soon the wealthy white Americans there were welding tremendous influence there.
In 1887 King Kalākaua was forced to accept a new constitution by a coup by the Honolulu Rifles. In 1891 he was succeeded by Queen Liliʻuokalani who was overthrown in another coup in 1893 (learn more about this dark overthrown with Ted Ed's "The dark history of the overthrow of Hawaii"). An unrecognized Hawaiian Kingdom continues today.
Hawaii briefly became an independent republic until the US annexed it in 1898.
The California Republic
To say California was a republic before joining the USA is a stretch. it was an unrecognized breakaway state that lasted for 25 days in 1846 and was only confined to an area controlled north of San Francisco in Sonoma County.
- Date: 1846
- Duration: 25 Days
- Recognition: Unrecognized
It wasn't recognized by the United States and didn't form a government or pass laws. It didn't even have a capital. Three weeks after the declaration its "Republican army" of 100 to 200 men was subsumed into the US California Battalion commanded by Brevet Captain John C. Frémont.
What was left off of the Republic ceased to exist on July 9 when U.S. Navy Lieutenant Joseph Revere raised the United States flag in front of the Sonoma Barracks.
Other "countries" that when on to be part of the United States are even more of a stretch.