| Some historians say that if the Mayflower had landed | | | | number of small states. This suggestion is deemed to |
| on California's coast instead of the eastern seaboard, | | | | be a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that would Balkanize |
| the state would have been divided into several small | | | | California into small states lacking adequate resources |
| states, similar to the New England region. | | | | and virtually no power nationally. |
| Consider that it takes longer to drive from California's | | | | Perhaps the most radical suggestion, and also done |
| northern border to its southern boundary than it does | | | | facetiously, would make California a separate nation. |
| to travel on the opposite coast from Maine through six | | | | This proposal was the brainchild of San Jose Mercury |
| New England states to Washington, D.C. | | | | newsman Ted Bredt, who noted that California's |
| There have been at least 26 different proposals to | | | | resources and financial potential were larger than |
| split California. | | | | those of many nations. |
| The issue to divide California first arose when those in | | | | In 1849, Jose Antonio Carrillo, a southern delegate to |
| the southern part of the state wanted the Capital | | | | the Constitutional Convention, proposed a split of |
| there, while those in the northern part of the state | | | | California at San Luis Obispo. The southern part of the |
| likewise wanted it. | | | | state would become a territory, while the northern part |
| The location of the Capital, it was believed, would | | | | would become a state. |
| dictate the area that would receive the most political | | | | Other delegates at the Constitutional Convention |
| considerations. | | | | proposed including what is now California, but also |
| Disvisionists first wanted to divide California and locate | | | | Nevada, Utah, and Arizona in the new state. This |
| the capitol either in Monterey, Los Angeles, or in San | | | | proposal was rejected out of hand as it would create |
| Diego. Northerners felt they were being overtaxed to | | | | a state too large. |
| pay for Southern California's education, social | | | | In 1852, some Californians near the Oregon border |
| programs, and justice system. | | | | expressed their strong dissatisfaction over high taxes, |
| Another divisive issue between the north and the | | | | poor mail service, and the lack of military protection |
| south was the matter of water. The south was | | | | against California Indian tribes. They wanted to form |
| dependent on the north for its water. Northerners felt | | | | the State of Shasta. |
| the dams and facilities necessary to transport water | | | | There were attempts by one northern California area |
| to the south were causing unwanted geographic and | | | | to separate from California altogether. This was in |
| climatic changes. Some felt even the earthquakes, | | | | 1856, when Isaac Newton Roop, the founder of |
| such as one in Oroville in 1975, were a result of the | | | | Susanville, and Peter Lassen, the explorer for whom |
| construction of water facilities. | | | | Lassen County was named, sought to form an |
| Advocates of dividing the state voiced a common | | | | independent territory. |
| grievance: California was just too big, and, therefore | | | | This territory would be made up by parts of both |
| ungovernable. | | | | northern California and of Nevada, which they would |
| In 1864, a state-splitting measure was placed on the | | | | call Nataqua, a word meaning woman in the local Indian |
| ballot, approved by voters, signed by the Governor, | | | | language. |
| and sent to Congress. Congress did not approve it. | | | | Later, in 1854, resolutions were drafted to form the |
| No state in the U.S. has been split into two or more | | | | State of Klamath, which would include portions of |
| regions since 1862, when the western part of the state | | | | Northern California and of Southern Oregon. |
| of Virginia opposed Virginia's secession from the Union | | | | Also in 1854, San Bernardino Assemblyman Jefferson |
| in 1861, and Congress recognized it as the state of | | | | Hunt introduced a bill for the creation of a new state |
| West Virginia. | | | | of Columbia, covering the area from Santa Cruz to the |
| Most proposals to divide California would split the state | | | | Mexican Border. |
| horizontally into two parts, either at the Tehachapi | | | | It is unlikely that California will ever be divided. Any |
| Mountains or at a northern point just above or below | | | | proposal aimed at splitting the state must gain the |
| Sacramento. There was at least one suggestion, | | | | consent of the legislature, and then be approved by |
| however, that the state be divided vertically into East | | | | Congress as well. |
| and West California. | | | | Still, the state-splitting issue is likely to emerge many |
| Another suggestion proposed dividing California into | | | | times in the future, as it is an easy way for a politician |
| three states, North, South, and Central California. | | | | to get space in the press. |
| Still another proposal would divide California into a | | | | |