Admission to the Union

Admission to the Union

Map showing the order of statehood for each U.S. state.

The admission to the Union is the process by which new U.S. states are admitted to the United States. This process is governed by the United States Constitution, specifically Article IV, Section 3, which grants Congress the authority to admit new states.

Constitutional Basis

The United States Constitution provides the framework for admitting new states. Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 states:

> "New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress."

This clause establishes the authority of Congress to admit new states and sets certain conditions for the formation of new states from existing ones.

Historical Process

The process of admitting new states has evolved over time. Initially, territories would petition Congress for statehood. Congress would then pass an Enabling Act, authorizing the territory to draft a state constitution. Once the constitution was approved by the territory's residents and Congress, an Act of Admission would be passed, officially granting statehood.

Early Admissions

The first states admitted to the Union were the original 13 colonies, which became states upon ratifying the Constitution. The first state admitted after the original 13 was Vermont, in 1791.

Later Admissions

As the United States expanded westward, new territories were acquired and eventually admitted as states. The process varied, with some territories experiencing long delays before achieving statehood, while others were admitted relatively quickly.

States Never Territories

Map showing U.S. states that were never territories.

Some states were never organized as territories before becoming states. These include:

• California
• Texas
• Vermont
• Kentucky

These states were admitted directly into the Union without first being organized as territories.

Current Territories and Statehood Movements

The United States currently has several territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are ongoing discussions and movements regarding the potential statehood of these territories.

Related Pages

• United States Constitution
• List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union
• Territories of the United States
• Statehood movement in Puerto Rico

Gallery

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  Document outlining the statehood process and political status of U.S. territories.