Did You Know Maine Used To Be a Part of Massachusetts?
Maine’s statehood became a key factor in the Missouri Compromise
From 1780 until 1820, the lands that now comprise the state of Maine were part of the District of Maine, which was a part of a much larger Massachusetts. Maine was the first state to secede from another state to form a new one and one of only two states to do so (West Virginia being the other). The District of Maine was formally established by the 1780 adoption of the Massachusetts state constitution, which officially created the administrative area to the north.
But Maine was never very happy being a part of Massachusetts. Rumblings about secession and discontent with the Massachusetts state legislature eventually led to the state being divided in two giving us the map that most people recognize today.
Maine’s grievances against Massachusetts
It only took five years for Maine to start pushing for its statehood. They cited differences and distinctions between themselves and their southern Massachusetts counterparts. The movement picked up steam, and by 1792 votes were being held on the partition of Massachusetts. The problem was, the southern population had little desire to see their northern half leave. Five total votes were taken in the…
