The Vermont Republic was a North American independent republic that lasted from 1777 to 1791, when it became the state of Vermont—the 14th state of the United States of America.

History

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In 1763, the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War, giving the area to the British. Parts of the region were controlled by the Province of New York and the Province of New Hampshire, with overlap due to controversy surrounding the New Hampshire Grants, and George III's decision to make that part of New York.

Founding

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Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys" became the militia, and fought against the British, then later against New York and New Hampshire, and on January 15, 1777 the rebels declared the region independent as the Republic of New Connecticut, although it was sometimes known colloquially as the Republic of the Green Mountains. On July 8 of that same year, the name of the fledgling nation was officially changed to Vermont (from the French for Green Mountains, les Verts Monts).

Government

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The constitution of the Vermont Republic was drafted and ratified in 1777, and was the first written national constitution in North America. It outlawed slavery and allowed all adult males to vote. The independent status held until 1791, when Vermont joined the Union, in part as a non-slaveholding counterweight to the slaveholding Kentucky. The admission of Vermont was supported by the North, the smaller states, and states concerned about the impact of the sea-to-sea grants held by other states. Thomas Chittenden was head of Vermont for most of this period, and became its first U.S. governor.

See also

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• Second Vermont Republic

1777 establishments | 1791 disestablishments | Former countries in North America | Historical regions and territories of the United States | History of Vermont

Repubblica del Vermont | Republiek Vermont | Vermont Republic | 佛蒙特共和国