This bundle briefly notes the historical 1814 Hartford Convention, at which some New England Federalist delegates discussed secession from the United States amid opposition to the War of 1812 and the preceding Embargo Act, though the convention's actual outcome favoured moderate constitutional amendments over secession. Its main coverage is the contemporary New England Independence Campaign (NEIC), founded in 2014 by Alex Gilbert, registered as a Massachusetts non-profit in 2024, and granted 501(c)(4) status in 2025. The two are kept explicitly distinct as historically unrelated episodes two centuries apart.
At the 1814 Hartford Convention, New England Federalist delegates, motivated by opposition to the War of 1812 and the earlier Embargo Act of 1807, debated grievances against the federal government; some advocated secession, but the convention's outcome favoured moderate constitutional amendments instead, and no secession occurred.[1] Two centuries later, and unrelated to that episode, Alex Gilbert founded the New England Independence Campaign in 2014 in Oakland, Maine, as a contemporary advocacy organisation for New England independence.[2] Following growth in membership after the 2016 and 2024 US general elections, the NEIC registered as a Massachusetts non-profit in 2024 and gained 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status in 2025.[3]
Status verified as of
The New England states remain constituted as separate US states. No secession occurred following the 1814 Hartford Convention. The contemporary New England Independence Campaign continues organisational development, having gained Massachusetts non-profit registration in 2024 and 501(c)(4) status in 2025; it has not achieved any electoral or legislative milestone comparable to a referendum bill.[3]
History
From the 1814 Hartford Convention to the founding of the New England Independence Campaign in 2014.
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· Other
New England Federalist delegates debated secession amid War of 1812 grievances, but chose a moderate constitutional-amendment path instead.
Significance here: The earliest documented instance of organised New England secession discussion, historically distinct from the contemporary movement.
· Organisation founded
The lead organisation of the contemporary New England independence movement was founded.
Significance here: The founding organisation of the contemporary New England independence movement.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: At the 1814 Hartford Convention, New England Federalist delegates, motivated by opposition to the War of 1812 and the earlier Embargo Act of 1807, debated grievances against the federal government; some delegates advocated secession, but the convention's actual outcome favoured a set of constitutional amendments proposed by moderates, and no secession occurred.
Claim: Alex Gilbert founded the New England Independence Campaign (NEIC) in 2014 in Oakland, Maine, as a contemporary advocacy organisation for New England independence, distinct from and unrelated to the 1814 Hartford Convention episode.
Claim: The NEIC registered as a non-profit organisation in Massachusetts in 2024 and was granted 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status in 2025, following growth in membership after the 2016 and 2024 US general elections.