U.S. States that were once Countries

To be fair, that's probably more accurate. Almost no 'countries' on this quiz were recognized as legitimate; they did, however, have a functioning government.

Oregon: it's unclear whether the settler government saw themselves as organizing an American territory, or founding an independent country.

California: independence was declared, but very little territory was actually held.

Kentucky and Missouri: they were splinter governments during the Civil War, and pro-Union governments also existed.

They declared separation from the crown before anyone else, so they ended up acting independently for a while. I will probably update the quiz (eventually) and add the other twelve.