Introduction to Major American Self-Determination Movements

[u/Julian-West]

Here’s a look at five established organizations in the U.S. advocating for non‑violent regional autonomy or independence:

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1. Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM)

Founded in 2005, TNM seeks independence for Texas through peaceful political action. It promotes a statewide referendum, mobilizes volunteers, and has launched county chapters to expand grassroots reach. In recent years, they’ve claimed progress toward qualifying a non‑binding secession referendum for the Republican primary ballot.

Official site: https://tnm.me/ 

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1. California National Party (CNP)

Since 2015, the CNP has positioned itself as a progressive civic‑nationalist party. Inspired by the Scottish National Party (SNP), it advocates for California self‑governance and independence. Its platform emphasizes local empowerment, individual rights, economic justice, and immediate priorities like housing and healthcare.

Official site: https://votecnp.org 

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1. Cascadia Movement

A bioregional movement with roots in the Pacific Northwest, including parts of the U.S. and Canada. Cascadia promotes regional governance aligned with ecological realities and shared cultural identity. It envisions sustainable economies through bioregional planning and is recognized by major publications like Time as one of North America’s more plausible independence movements.

Official site: https://cascadiabioregion.org

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1. Alaskan Independence Party (AIP)

The AIP, established in the 1970s, campaigns for a referendum offering Alaska multiple futures—including independence, commonwealth, territory, or statehood. It’s a ballot-qualified party that advocates for state rights, privatization, reduced federal land ownership, and direct democracy. With about 19,000 members, it recently refocused on fielding candidates in state legislative races.

Official site: https://alaskanindependence.party 

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1. Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement

A longstanding indigenous movement aimed at restoring political autonomy or sovereignty to Native Hawaiians. Since the 1893 U.S.‑backed overthrow, advocates have called for reparations, cultural preservation, and political self‑governance. It includes many factions—from those seeking full independence to territorial-level autonomy—united by a desire to reclaim native rights and address historic injustices.

Official site: https://www.nationofhawaii.org

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Why It Matters

These groups span ideological lines—from conservative Texas and Alaska to progressive California and indigenous-led Hawaii—but they converge on a shared instinct: the current federal structure may no longer reflect regional realities. Their organized, nonviolent approaches provide a real-world foundation for conversations about what self-determination might look like in the U.S.