We all know about the Confederate states leaving the Union. But thatwas far from the only secessionist movement in American history. Hereare some rebellious regions you won’t find in too many history books.
1. The Kingdom of Beaver Island
Beaver Island, asmall island in Lake Michigan, became the home of Mormon leader JamesStrang and his followers — called Strangites — in 1848. Two yearslater, Strang declared himself king of the church — complete withcrown, scepter, robe, and a harem of 15 wives.
However, mostof the island’s inhabitants were his followers, so he essentiallybecame King of Beaver Island. The power got to his head, and he beganforcing his rule onto the non-believers, causing some violence betweenthe two factions.
In 1856, the USS Michigan pulled into theharbor and invited Strang aboard. As he was walking towards the ship,he was shot in the back by disgruntled followers, who then ran up thegangplank and escaped. Adding to the mysterious circumstances, theassassins were set ashore on nearby Mackinac Island and never chargedfor their crime.
Shortly after the assassination, angry mobsfrom surrounding islands eventually forced the Strangites from theirhomes, thus ending the short-lived Kingdom of Beaver Island.
2. The state of Superior
Concern over a perceived lack of interest from the Michigan state government, the people of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.), affectionately known as “Yoopers,” have been trying to secede and form the State of Superior since as far back as 1897.
The movement gained momentum after 1957 when a bridge connectingthe U.P. region to Lower Michigan made it easier for southern “Trolls”(people who live “below the bridge”) and Yoopers to mingle. Thisanimosity continued into the mid-1980s, when 20,000 signatures werecollected and submitted to the state for a secession request.
However, the number was shy of the 36,000 required, and the requestsubsequently denied. The secessionist drive lives on today, as numerousgrassroots organizations are trying to muster support for anotherofficial attempt at an independent U.P. Until that day comes, though,the Yoopers and Trolls will just have to try to get along.