Separatist (disambiguation) facts for kids

A Separatist is someone who wants to separate from a larger group. This group could be a country, a church, or even a political party. They believe their group would be better off on its own. The idea behind this is called Separatism.

What is a Separatist?

A Separatist is a person who supports the idea of Separatism. This means they want their group to become independent. They might want to form a new country. Or they might want to create a new religious group. They often feel their beliefs or way of life are very different. They might feel they are not treated fairly by the larger group.

Why Do People Become Separatists?

People become Separatists for many reasons. Sometimes, it's about their culture or language. They might feel their unique traditions are not respected. Other times, it's about their religion. They might want to worship in a different way. It can also be about politics or money. They might believe their region is not getting a fair share of resources.

Religious Separatists

Some Separatists want to separate from a main church. They might believe the main church is not following their faith correctly. They want to create their own religious community. This allows them to practice their beliefs freely.

Political Separatists

Other Separatists want their region to become a new country. They might feel their area is very different from the rest of the nation. They might have their own history or language. They believe they would be better governed on their own.

Famous Examples of Separatists

History has many examples of Separatists. These groups often made big changes. They sometimes even started new nations.

The Pilgrims: A Journey for Freedom

One famous example is the Pilgrims. They were a group of English Separatists. They wanted to separate from the Church of England. They felt the church was too much like the old Roman Catholic Church. They wanted to worship in a simpler way. Because of this, they faced problems in England.

In 1620, the Pilgrims left England. They sailed across the ocean on a ship called the Mayflower. They came to North America. Here, they founded Plymouth Colony. This was one of the first European settlements in what is now the United States. They called themselves Separatists. They wanted the freedom to practice their religion.

Other Historical Examples

Throughout history, many groups have sought to separate. Some groups wanted to form their own nations. Others wanted to create their own communities. They all shared the desire for independence. They wanted to control their own destiny.

Separatism Today

Separatism is still a topic today. Some groups around the world still want to separate. They want to form their own countries. Or they want more control over their own regions.

Different Kinds of Separation

Sometimes, the term "Separatist" is used differently. For example, people who want the Separation of church and state are sometimes called Separatists. This means they believe the government and religious groups should be kept separate. They think neither should control the other. This is different from a group wanting to form a new country. But it still involves the idea of keeping things apart.