What if the Union army invaded East Tennesee mid-1862 and was able to set up a Unionist government in Knoxville and East Tennesee seceded from Tennesee and was recongnized by the Union like the West Virginia one was.
If I remember correctly, the main reason why West Virginia separated from Virginia is because the majority of the people in Northwestern Virginia (now West Virginia) supported the Union. Don't quote me on this, though.
Having said that, why would be the purpose of creating an "East Tennesse" state?
Most of East Tennesee supported the Union as well. The purpose of creating East Tennesee is the same purpose of creating West Virginia it gives you a Unionist base in the war and possible Republican gains after the war.
I am a native of East Tennessee. The northern part, say from Knoxville north to Virginia, which is the mountainous part of the State, was pro Yankee for the most part. From Knoxville to the south, including Chattanooga, was mostly pro Confederate. I don't think an independent East Tennessee was ever considered as, obviously, an independent West Virginia was.
A more interesting theory concerns the State of Franklin, established in what is now East Tennessee, but never recognized. What if it had been established and the borders of the State of Tennessee were different? If Franklin were a state, it might have not seceded thereby giving the Yankees a deeper penetration into the South perhaps shortening the war.
I am a native of East Tennessee. The northern part, say from Knoxville north to Virginia, which is the mountainous part of the State, was pro Yankee for the most part. From Knoxville to the south, including Chattanooga, was mostly pro Confederate. I don't think an independent East Tennessee was ever considered as, obviously, an independent West Virginia was.
A more interesting theory concerns the State of Franklin, established in what is now East Tennessee, but never recognized. What if it had been established and the borders of the State of Tennessee were different? If Franklin were a state, it might have not seceded thereby giving the Yankees a deeper penetration into the South perhaps shortening the war.
Isnt Kentucky kind of in the way?Could ET and WV be united?
Southwest Virginia actually.Isnt Kentucky kind of in the way?
I am a native of East Tennessee. The northern part, say from Knoxville north to Virginia, which is the mountainous part of the State, was pro Yankee for the most part. From Knoxville to the south, including Chattanooga, was mostly pro Confederate. I don't think an independent East Tennessee was ever considered as, obviously, an independent West Virginia was.
A more interesting theory concerns the State of Franklin, established in what is now East Tennessee, but never recognized. What if it had been established and the borders of the State of Tennessee were different? If Franklin were a state, it might have not seceded thereby giving the Yankees a deeper penetration into the South perhaps shortening the war.
Another Tennessean! ^_^
Anyway, I doubt there would be much support for such an act. East Tennessee was not so much pro union as it was anti Confederate or anti war. For the most part the people of the mountains just wanted to be left alone.