Westsylvania

Westsylvania was a proposed state in the United States during the late 18th century. Residents of western lands claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania sought to establish a separate government due to dissatisfaction with the eastern colonial administrations. This region, west of the Appalachian Mountains, faced challenges including geographic barriers, Native American resistance, and conflicting land claims.1

The desire for a distinct government in the trans-Allegheny country was fueled by cultural, social, economic, and political differences between the frontier settlers and those in eastern Virginia. The frontier population was diverse, and the economic viability of slavery was limited by environmental factors, making it both impractical and undesirable for many. Furthermore, representation and taxation policies heavily favored eastern Virginia. These sentiments contributed to early movements for separate governance, such as the proposed 14th colony of Vandalia and the initiative for Westsylvania.1