World History
The world is full of regions and ethnic groups clamoring for independence. Some have valid causes, most do not. Just because you have your own administrative region or history as a people going back thousands of years does not mean you get your own nation state...
The United States of America is no different. There are numerous separatist causes. They have little popular support nationally or in their localities and have no chance of success in the foreseeable future. However, they are wacky. And this is because of their strange (and wrong) readings of international law and history.
Do you believe that the American Congress has no legal right to annex territory via a Joint Resolution of Congress? The international community does not accept this but some claim that Texas and Hawaii are not legally American as they were added to the nation in this fashion.
A history of Texas notes, "Some claim to this day that Texas was never legally acquired by the United States as Congress does not have the power to acquire territory via a joint resolution. However, Texas is not a unique case of the use of a joint resolution of Congress to annex foreign land. Hawaii was also annexed legally in this manner in 1898. International law fully recognizes American ownership of Texas and arguments to the contrary are false, are not supported by any nation or international governing body such as the United Nations or the World Court, or by the vast majority of the citizens of Texas. "
And that is the end of that bogus argument. And if any disagree, please take this case to the World Court. I am sure that the judges would give this argument the swift decision it deserves.
Do you believe that American territories can not become states unless an option for independence is on the ballot during the statehood vote? If so, Alaska and Hawaii (again) are not American states. This ballot requirement is a rule made by the United Nations. However, it does not always choose to enforce it. In fact, the UN removed both Hawaii and Alaska from the list of non self-governing territories after the citizens of these territories voted overwhelmingly (over 90% in Hawaii) in favor of statehood. And there was no option for independence on the ballot for either state.
Do you believe that any illegal action impacting the sovereignty of a prior government invalidates forever any actions taken by successive governments? If so, then the USA has no legal right to exist as all American land was previously owned by sovereign nations which occupied North America and Hawaii. And as these nations never willingly gave up their land, they must still be the legal owners right? As the Chippewa tribe never legally ceded Michigan, that state must still legally be a part of the Chippewa nation. As the Republic of Texas was illegal under Mexican law, Texas must still be Mexican territory. As the Republic of Hawaii was illegal under the laws of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Kingdom must still exist. Of course, that is not the way that international law works...
My favorite argument used by the various Texas and Hawaiian groups is that their "nations" are undergoing a prolonged military occupation by the United States. This of course turns the meaning of the word occupation on its head and threatens to make the concept meaningless. If they are under occupation, how is it that their websites stay up, their leaders remain free, and they are allowed to participate fully in the political process by voting, running for office, and conducting protests? Heck, if Texas is not American then George W. Bush is not legally President of the USA. How can a citizen of the occupied nation also be the leader of the occupying nation? Get real...
But I will admire the Hawaiian, Texan, and Alaskan separatists on one point. They are non-violent and are content to allow this topic to be an academic debate. Thankfully, there are no Alaskan suicide bombers. America is a free enough country to allow for wacky groups to freely express their "unique" views and the perspective they add to debates reminds many of the freedom they have as Americans.
- Independent Kosovo? Why Not Vermont?
Kosovo is about to declare independence. This fact has generated an interesting and problematic article which has gone out across the AP Wire. William J. Kole has written an article titled Independent Kosovo? Why Not Vermont? Kole begins, "Sean Connery...
- James Henderson Blount - American Rebel Separatist
James Henderson Blount was an American Congressman from Georgia. He served in the House of Representatives from 1873 to 1893 and also served as the American Minister to Hawaii. However, he is probably best known for his role in issuing one of gospels...
- The Dominion Of British West Florida And Tips For Creating An American Separatist Cause
Well, separatist fantasies never seem to go away in the USA. In past posts, I have made notes about dubious separatist causes in Alaska, Hawaii, and Texas. I have not posted on those claiming the Confederate States of America still legally exists but...
- Hawaiian Independence?
Hawaiian Independence? How many states are there in the American Union? It is 50 of course. But some will try to claim there are only 49! How? They misread history by claiming Hawaii is not really an American state. The root of this confusion has to do...
- History Of Hawaii
History of Hawaii. This is a decent (although uneven) history of the American state of Hawaii. Of particular interest is the last paragraph which takes aim at the Hawaiian Independence (separatist) Movement. Hawaiian independence from the USA is no more...
World History
Wacky American Separatists
The world is full of regions and ethnic groups clamoring for independence. Some have valid causes, most do not. Just because you have your own administrative region or history as a people going back thousands of years does not mean you get your own nation state...
The United States of America is no different. There are numerous separatist causes. They have little popular support nationally or in their localities and have no chance of success in the foreseeable future. However, they are wacky. And this is because of their strange (and wrong) readings of international law and history.
Do you believe that the American Congress has no legal right to annex territory via a Joint Resolution of Congress? The international community does not accept this but some claim that Texas and Hawaii are not legally American as they were added to the nation in this fashion.
A history of Texas notes, "Some claim to this day that Texas was never legally acquired by the United States as Congress does not have the power to acquire territory via a joint resolution. However, Texas is not a unique case of the use of a joint resolution of Congress to annex foreign land. Hawaii was also annexed legally in this manner in 1898. International law fully recognizes American ownership of Texas and arguments to the contrary are false, are not supported by any nation or international governing body such as the United Nations or the World Court, or by the vast majority of the citizens of Texas. "
And that is the end of that bogus argument. And if any disagree, please take this case to the World Court. I am sure that the judges would give this argument the swift decision it deserves.
Do you believe that American territories can not become states unless an option for independence is on the ballot during the statehood vote? If so, Alaska and Hawaii (again) are not American states. This ballot requirement is a rule made by the United Nations. However, it does not always choose to enforce it. In fact, the UN removed both Hawaii and Alaska from the list of non self-governing territories after the citizens of these territories voted overwhelmingly (over 90% in Hawaii) in favor of statehood. And there was no option for independence on the ballot for either state.
Do you believe that any illegal action impacting the sovereignty of a prior government invalidates forever any actions taken by successive governments? If so, then the USA has no legal right to exist as all American land was previously owned by sovereign nations which occupied North America and Hawaii. And as these nations never willingly gave up their land, they must still be the legal owners right? As the Chippewa tribe never legally ceded Michigan, that state must still legally be a part of the Chippewa nation. As the Republic of Texas was illegal under Mexican law, Texas must still be Mexican territory. As the Republic of Hawaii was illegal under the laws of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Kingdom must still exist. Of course, that is not the way that international law works...
My favorite argument used by the various Texas and Hawaiian groups is that their "nations" are undergoing a prolonged military occupation by the United States. This of course turns the meaning of the word occupation on its head and threatens to make the concept meaningless. If they are under occupation, how is it that their websites stay up, their leaders remain free, and they are allowed to participate fully in the political process by voting, running for office, and conducting protests? Heck, if Texas is not American then George W. Bush is not legally President of the USA. How can a citizen of the occupied nation also be the leader of the occupying nation? Get real...
But I will admire the Hawaiian, Texan, and Alaskan separatists on one point. They are non-violent and are content to allow this topic to be an academic debate. Thankfully, there are no Alaskan suicide bombers. America is a free enough country to allow for wacky groups to freely express their "unique" views and the perspective they add to debates reminds many of the freedom they have as Americans.
- Independent Kosovo? Why Not Vermont?
Kosovo is about to declare independence. This fact has generated an interesting and problematic article which has gone out across the AP Wire. William J. Kole has written an article titled Independent Kosovo? Why Not Vermont? Kole begins, "Sean Connery...
- James Henderson Blount - American Rebel Separatist
James Henderson Blount was an American Congressman from Georgia. He served in the House of Representatives from 1873 to 1893 and also served as the American Minister to Hawaii. However, he is probably best known for his role in issuing one of gospels...
- The Dominion Of British West Florida And Tips For Creating An American Separatist Cause
Well, separatist fantasies never seem to go away in the USA. In past posts, I have made notes about dubious separatist causes in Alaska, Hawaii, and Texas. I have not posted on those claiming the Confederate States of America still legally exists but...
- Hawaiian Independence?
Hawaiian Independence? How many states are there in the American Union? It is 50 of course. But some will try to claim there are only 49! How? They misread history by claiming Hawaii is not really an American state. The root of this confusion has to do...
- History Of Hawaii
History of Hawaii. This is a decent (although uneven) history of the American state of Hawaii. Of particular interest is the last paragraph which takes aim at the Hawaiian Independence (separatist) Movement. Hawaiian independence from the USA is no more...