There are four states that refer to themselves as “commonwealths,” Massachusetts, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

What does it mean for a state to be a commonwealth?

Commonwealth is a term used by four of the 50 states of the United States in their full official state names. "Commonwealth" is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. ... As such, they share a strong influence of English common law in some of their laws and institutions.

Are there any US Commonwealth states?

There are four states in the United States that call themselves commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The distinction is in name alone. The commonwealths are just like any other state in their politics and laws, and there is no difference in their relationship to the nation as a whole.

How many Commonwealth states were there originally?

The United States of America initially consisted of 13 states that had been British colonies until their independence was declared in 1776 and verified by the Treaty of Paris in 1783: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, ...

Is Florida a commonwealth state?

States of US are forty six (46) in number. They include states such as Florida, Alabama, California, etc. Commonwealths are four in number. They are Massachusetts, Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

Commonwealth (U.S. state) | Wikipedia audio article

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Why is Kentucky a commonwealth?

Back when the colonies declared their independence from England, Kentucky was still a part of Virginia, which extended from its current borders all the way out to the Mississippi River. ... In 1792, Virginia's Kentucky County became its own state, and also decided to take on the name “commonwealth.”

Why is PA a commonwealth?

It simply means they've adopted the British term for providing for the “common good” or the “common wealth” of its citizens. The term was coined by 16th century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, considered one of the founders of modern political theory.

What are the 4 commonwealth states?

State vs Commonwealth

There are four states that refer to themselves as “commonwealths,” Massachusetts, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Is West Virginia a commonwealth state?

During the Civil War, Virginia seceded from the union to become a confederate state. West Virginia seceded from Virginia and decided to join the union. At the time, West Virginia did not choose to retain the commonwealth status; instead, it became a state in the U.S.A.

Which two US territories have commonwealth status?

Commonwealth territories

The US has five major territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of these five, only two of them are considered commonwealths — the Northern Mariana Island and Puerto Rico.

Why are some American states called commonwealths?

They are commonwealths simply because their state constitutions say they're commonwealths. ... '” Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts all adopted constitutions between the years 1776 and 1780, so we can assume that calling yourself a “commonwealth” during that era was somewhat in vogue.

Is Pennsylvania a state?

Pennsylvania, officially Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, constituent state of the United States of America, one of the original 13 American colonies. The state is approximately rectangular in shape and stretches about 300 miles (480 km) from east to west and 150 miles (240 km) from north to south.

What are the Commonwealth nations of Great Britain?

There are 15 Commonwealth Realms in addition to the UK.

• Australia. Her Majesty is Queen of Australia. ...
• The Bahamas. Her Majesty is Queen of The Bahamas. ...
• Barbados. Her Majesty is Queen of Barbados. ...
• Belize. Her Majesty is Queen of Belize. ...
• Canada. Her Majesty is Queen of Canada. ...
• Grenada. ...
• Jamaica. ...
• New Zealand.

What are the benefits of a Commonwealth state?

Pros of Living in a Commonwealth-State

• People are Organized Under a Single State Government.
• The Commonwealth States Elect their Leaders.
• You Have Greater Freedom and Prosperity in a Commonwealth.
• A Commonwealth will Also Have Laws to Protect its Citizens.
• Changes for a Commonwealth are not Made Through Force.

What's the difference between a commonwealth and a republic?

A Commonwealth refers to an independent state created for the common good and includes various forms of government such as republics, constitutional monarchies, federations and confederations. A Republic is a particular form of government, one that does not have a monarch as its head of state.

What makes Virginia a commonwealth?

Since 1776, Virginia has been a "commonwealth." It associated with other colonies through a Continental Congress starting in 1775, and became part of a confederation with other former colonies in 1781. Virginia became one of the "united" states when the Constitution was ratified in 1788.

Why is PA a commonwealth and not a state?

When Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts became part of the United States, they merely took the old form of state in their title. Each of these states was also a former British Colony. ... Today, Commonwealth also means a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the United States.

Why is Virginia called the Commonwealth of Virginia?

During the American Revolution, the title "Commonwealth of Virginia" was used in the new state's constitution. Unlike the word "state," which can also mean a country, democratic or not, the term "commonwealth" emphasized that Virginia was founded to serve the common good of its people.

Do states have to ratify statehood?

The Constitution merely declares that new states cannot be created by merging or splitting existing states without the approval of both the U.S. Congress and the states' legislatures. Otherwise, Congress is given the authority to determine the conditions for statehood.

What are the US territories and commonwealths?

(5) “United States territories and commonwealths” defined As used in this subsection, the term “United States territories and commonwealths” means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

How many British Commonwealth states are there?

The Commonwealth of Nations, generally known simply as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, almost all of which are former territories of the British Empire.

Is Philadelphia and Pennsylvania the same thing?

Philadelphia (colloquially known simply as Philly) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States. It is the sixth-most-populous city in the United States and the most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania, with a 2020 population of 1,603,797.

What is Pennsylvania known for?

Pennsylvania has been one of the nation's most important industrial centers for coal, steel and railroads, especially before War World II. The state is also famous for its leading mushroom production, which reaches 425 million pounds annually with a value of more than $330 million.

Why is PA called the Keystone State?

The Keystone State

Pennsylvania's essential role in the founding of the United States earned it the nickname, the “Keystone State.” The term “keystone” comes from architecture and refers to the central, wedge-shaped stone in an arch, which holds all the other stones in place.