(Mental Floss) -- We all know about the Confederate states leaving the Union. But that was far from the only secessionist movement in American history. Here are some rebellious regions you won't find in too many history books.





This map shows some rebellious regions that have tried to seceed from the United States.





1. The Kingdom of Beaver Island





Beaver Island, a small island in Lake Michigan, became the home of Mormon leader James Strang and his followers -- called Strangites -- in 1848. Two years later, Strang declared himself king of the church -- complete with crown, scepter, robe, and a harem of 15 wives.





However, most of the island's inhabitants were his followers, so he essentially became King of Beaver Island. The power got to his head, and he began forcing his rule onto the non-believers, causing some violence between the two factions.





In 1856, the USS Michigan pulled into the harbor and invited Strang aboard. As he was walking towards the ship, he was shot in the back by disgruntled followers, who then ran up the gangplank and escaped. Adding to the mysterious circumstances, the assassins were set ashore on nearby Mackinac Island and never charged for their crime.





Shortly after the assassination, angry mobs from surrounding islands eventually forced the Strangites from their homes, thus ending the short-lived Kingdom of Beaver Island.





2. The state of Superior





Concern over a perceived lack of interest from the Michigan state government, the people of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.), affectionately known as "Yoopers," have been trying to secede and form the State of Superior since as far back as 1897.





The movement gained momentum after 1957 when a bridge connecting the U.P. region to Lower Michigan made it easier for southern "Trolls" (people who live "below the bridge") and Yoopers to mingle. This animosity continued into the mid-1980s, when 20,000 signatures were collected and submitted to the state for a secession request.





However, the number was shy of the 36,000 required, and the request subsequently denied. The secessionist drive lives on today, as numerous grassroots organizations are trying to muster support for another official attempt at an independent U.P. Until that day comes, though, the Yoopers and Trolls will just have to try to get along.





3. The Great Republic of Rough and Ready





Rough and Ready, California, was a mining town founded in 1849 by the Rough and Ready Company of Wisconsin. As the town's population rapidly exploded to 3,000, lawlessness was on the rise -- and the U.S. government was not much help squelching the rampant crime. Mental Floss: Three controversial maps





Additionally, a new federal tax on mining operations added fuel to the region's civil unrest. Seeing little support from Washington, on April 7, 1850, the townspeople voted to secede from the Union.





But just three months later, as the Fourth of July approached, The Great Republic of Rough and Ready wanted to have a celebration (which seems odd considering they were no longer technically Americans). When nearby Nevada City wouldn't sell liquor to "foreign miners," it was decided that maybe America wasn't so bad after all. The townspeople voted themselves back into the Union on the very same day and the party went off as planned.





4. The Conch Republic





In the early-1980s, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a checkpoint at the entrance to the Florida Keys in an effort to stop illegal drugs and immigrants. The time to check everyone's identification at the checkpoint resulted in a 20-mile traffic jam that turned tourists away, thus damaging the economy in the Keys.





After numerous legal attempts to have the checkpoint removed, on April 23, 1982, Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow declared the Florida Keys were seceding from the Union.





Moments later, now-Prime Minister Wardlow symbolically declared war on the U.S. by breaking a stale piece of Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. One minute later, Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the U.S. Naval Base at Key West and surrendered, thus
( Mental Floss ) -- We all know about the Confederate states leaving the Union . But that was far from the only secessionist movement in American history . Here are some rebellious regions you wo n't find in too many history books . This map shows some rebellious regions that have tried to seceed from the United States . 1 . The Kingdom of Beaver Island Beaver Island , a small island in Lake Michigan , became the home of Mormon leader James Strang and his followers -- called Strangites -- in 1848 . Two years later , Strang declared himself king of the church -- complete with crown , scepter , robe , and a harem of 15 wives . However , most of the island 's inhabitants were his followers , so he essentially became King of Beaver Island . The power got to his head , and he began forcing his rule onto the non - believers , causing some violence between the two factions . In 1856 , the USS Michigan pulled into the harbor and invited Strang aboard . As he was walking towards the ship , he was shot in the back by disgruntled followers , who then ran up the gangplank and escaped . Adding to the mysterious circumstances , the assassins were set ashore on nearby Mackinac Island and never charged for their crime . Shortly after the assassination , angry mobs from surrounding islands eventually forced the Strangites from their homes , thus ending the short - lived Kingdom of Beaver Island . 2 . The state of Superior Concern over a perceived lack of interest from the Michigan state government , the people of the Upper Peninsula ( U.P. ) , affectionately known as " Yoopers , " have been trying to secede and form the State of Superior since as far back as 1897 . The movement gained momentum after 1957 when a bridge connecting the U.P. region to Lower Michigan made it easier for southern " Trolls " ( people who live " below the bridge " ) and Yoopers to mingle . This animosity continued into the mid-1980s , when 20,000 signatures were collected and submitted to the state for a secession request . However , the number was shy of the 36,000 required , and the request subsequently denied . The secessionist drive lives on today , as numerous grassroots organizations are trying to muster support for another official attempt at an independent U.P. Until that day comes , though , the Yoopers and Trolls will just have to try to get along . 3 . The Great Republic of Rough and Ready Rough and Ready , California , was a mining town founded in 1849 by the Rough and Ready Company of Wisconsin . As the town 's population rapidly exploded to 3,000 , lawlessness was on the rise -- and the U.S. government was not much help squelching the rampant crime . Mental Floss : Three controversial maps Additionally , a new federal tax on mining operations added fuel to the region 's civil unrest . Seeing little support from Washington , on April 7 , 1850 , the townspeople voted to secede from the Union . But just three months later , as the Fourth of July approached , The Great Republic of Rough and Ready wanted to have a celebration ( which seems odd considering they were no longer technically Americans ) . When nearby Nevada City would n't sell liquor to " foreign miners , " it was decided that maybe America was n't so bad after all . The townspeople voted themselves back into the Union on the very same day and the party went off as planned . 4 . The Conch Republic In the early-1980s , the U.S. Border Patrol set up a checkpoint at the entrance to the Florida Keys in an effort to stop illegal drugs and immigrants . The time to check everyone 's identification at the checkpoint resulted in a 20-mile traffic jam that turned tourists away , thus damaging the economy in the Keys . After numerous legal attempts to have the checkpoint removed , on April 23 , 1982 , Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow declared the Florida Keys were seceding from the Union . Moments later , now - Prime Minister Wardlow symbolically declared war on the U.S. by breaking a stale piece of Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform . One minute later , Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the U.S. Naval Base at Key West and surrendered , thus
What did the Key West mayor do?
What did the Key West mayor do ?
declared the Florida
declared the Florida