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Kentucky as a Commonwealth

In 1785, district residents of Kentucky County began petitioning the Virginia legislature for statehood. They wished the County to be recognized as a "free and independent state, to be known by the name of the 'Commonwealth' of Kentucky." On June 4th, 1792, Kentucky County, Virginia became officially the "Commonwealth of Kentucky."

When Kentucky joined the Union, the terms "commonwealth" and "state" were recognized by the U.S. government as being synonymous. There are four states in the United States that are titled commonwealths: Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The designation is an elected title deemed by the states' legislatures. To be a commonwealth rather than a state grants no differences legally or economically.

"Commonweal" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon "wela," meaning "sound and prosperous state." The term commonwealth had greater political meaning back in the time of Oliver Cromwell, when the British Parliament declared that government by a king was "unnecessary, burdensome, and dangerous," and further declared that the British nation would then on be a commonwealth, or free state. To be a commonwealth meant that all power was vested in and derived from a equally free and independent people rather than a hierarchical and/or feudal system under a king. The basis for a commonwealth's success required each citizen to be an active participant in government, practitioners of civic virtue and socially responsible. The government essentially was to serve the people, rather than having the people serve the government.

This idea was one of the forerunners of democracy. The citizens of Virginia were the first to bring the term into U.S. government when its constitution declared the state independent of England and designated itself a newly formed commonwealth in 1776. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania soon followed. When the United States was granted separation from Great Britain and its monarchy, the term commonwealth lost its meaning in a democratically governed nation. Thus, the idea to be a state or to be a commonwealth in the United States became identical.

In modern times, to be a "commonwealth" of the United States means to be "a self-governing, autonomous political unit voluntarily associated with the United States, namely, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands." (Dictionary.com) A few of the differences between contemporary commonwealth status and statehood are:

  • Although residents of a commonwealth do not have to pay U.S. federal taxes, they do pay social security and are able to receive federal welfare.
  • The commonwealth has no voting representation in Congress and citizens of a commonwealth are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. However, they are allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces.

For years, Puerto Rico has considered United States statehood status. Yet, the majority of citizens wish to remain in commonwealth status.


Works Consulted

Ask Yahoo. November 17, 2000. http://ask.yahoo.com/20001117.html.

1994 Kentucky General Assembly Directory. Legislative Research Commission.

"Why Is Virginia a Commonwealth?" Office of the Virginia Secretary of State. http://www.soc.vipnet.org/common.htm

Kleber, John E., Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, James C. Klotter. Kentucky Encyclopedia. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1992. Call number: K 976.9003 Kent

Information Updated:05/03/2005