WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia, also known as the Mountain State, has a unique history that sets it apart from other states. West Virginia was originally part of Virginia, but during the Civil War, it seceded from the Confederacy and joined the Union as a separate state in 1863.
The state was formed as a result of disagreements between western Virginia and eastern Virginia over political representation, economic issues, slavery, and cultural differences.
During the Civil War, western Virginia was more pro-Union and less reliant on slavery compared to eastern Virginia, which relied heavily on the institution. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861 to join the Confederacy, western Virginians did not support this move and instead organized themselves as the Restored Government of Virginia.
This government, composed of primarily Unionist politicians, set the stage for West Virginia’s eventual creation as a state separate from Virginia. The formation of West Virginia during the Civil War made it the only state to be formed by seceding from a Confederate state and joining the Union, giving it a unique historical identity.
Additionally, West Virginia’s unique history is reflected in its state motto, “Montani Semper Liberi,” which translates to “Mountaineers are always free.” West Virginia’s historic beginning during the Civil War highlights the complex and often divisive issues that shaped the era in which it was formed.
Following the official birth of West Virginia in 1863, the state became a symbol of hope and progress for Union supporters during the Civil War as it represented a victory for those who opposed secession and slavery.
During this period, West Virginia faced significant economic, social, and political challenges that shaped its trajectory. One key issue during this time was the struggle to rebuild and diversify the state’s economy, which had been heavily dependent on agriculture before the war.
But after the Civil War, West Virginia underwent significant changes as it worked to rebuild and reshape its society and economy. The state’s population grew rapidly, as people moved in to take advantage of the state’s natural resources, including coal and timber along with its abundant farmland.
Following the Civil War, the Mountain State became a center of labor unrest as the state rapidly industrialized, with strikes and protests occurring throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of the conditions endured during the Industrial Revolution.
The most famous of these was the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain, in which thousands of coal miners fought against company forces in an attempt to unionize. Known as the biggest incident during the West Virginia Coal Wars, it resulted in the confirmed deaths of 16 miners and many more arrested. It is believed that up to 100 could have been killed on Blair Mountain.
West Virginia became a leader in coal production, with the industry dominating the state’s economy for much of the 20th century which would further shape West Virginia’s history and politics for years to come.
This is part one of the LOOTPRESS West Virginia History series.