How a disputed territory became the first state to join the original Union

Cultures · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it was the 14th state, Vermont existed as an independent republic for 14 years. Born from land disputes between New York and New Hampshire, this rugged territory pioneered early abolition, universal male suffrage, and a unique political identity that continues to define its progressive reputation in the modern era.

Vermont’s path to statehood was anything but conventional. Following the 1763 Treaty of Paris, which ended French claims to the region, the area between the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain became a flashpoint for competing land grants issued by New York and New Hampshire. Settlers, represented by the militant Green Mountain Boys, resisted New York's authority, eventually declaring the independent Vermont Republic in 1777. This sovereign entity operated its own postal service and minted its own currency until 1791.

The republic was a crucible for radical ideas. Its 1777 constitution was the first in North America to ban adult slavery and established universal male suffrage. This spirit of independence persisted even after joining the Union as the 14th state. Vermont’s political evolution has remained distinct; it was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through legislation rather than court mandate and became the first to legalize recreational cannabis via legislative action in 2018.

However, the state's history is not without darker chapters. In 1931, Vermont adopted eugenics legislation, leading to the forced sterilization of individuals deemed unfit, a practice that disproportionately targeted poor women and persisted in records until 1970. Today, the state remains a demographic outlier, ranking as the second-least populated in the U.S. and maintaining a landscape where no building exceeds 124 feet in height. Despite its small scale, Vermont’s influence on American governance—from its early abolitionist stance to its modern progressive policies—remains significant.

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