BR: 4/13/17 Why do you think it took SO long for Utah to join the rest of the United States as a full-fledged state? What things might have hindered that move?

Ch. 11.1 Utah Seeks Statehood Roadblocks, & Polygamy Utah Studies Ch. 11.1 Utah Seeks Statehood Roadblocks, & Polygamy

Seeking Statehood The people of the Utah Territory sought statehood 6 different times, but failed each of these times: 1849, 1856, 1862, 1872, 1882, and even 1887 Why did Utah keep seeking statehood? Here’s why: They would be full citizens, able to vote for president, etc. Utah’s representatives could vote in Congress As a territory, you can only share in debate; you have no vote. Puerto Rico is such an example today. Utah would also have 2 Senators in Congress, which it didn’t have Utah’s judges could be elected locally, not appointed federally Utah could write its own constitution, to decide its own laws Utah could control state education (feds control this in territories) Utah would pay taxes, but get all federal money and privileges in return

So Why Not Allow Utah to be a State? Lots of reasons… though Utah had enough people, experience, loyalty, etc., they didn’t have federal trust. Federal officials often had a negative view of Utah and Mormons, for a variety of reasons (some that we’ve mentioned before): Unity: Mormons value unity, and this stretched to all aspects of life, including economics and politics. This bothered other Americans, and a minority of Utahns who felt like individual thought, diversity, and separation of church and state were more important. Politics: For many years, Mormons were the majority, and so with majority ruling, they got what they wanted. In 1870, the liberal party was formed by non-LDS people who disliked the control the Mormon church had. In response, the Mormons created the People’s Party. Courts: Many courts were run by local judges, who often happened to be Mormon Bishops. Nonmormons felt discriminated when put in this situation against Mormons in court.

Roadblocks to Statehood, Cont. Economics: LDS leaders liked to control the entire economy of the territory, with their own Mormon businesses, and many Mormon leaders encouraged Mormons to only shop at Mormon stores. This ticked off these who weren’t Mormon. Education: Mormons set up private LDS schools, for other Mormons. They believed education, like any other service, should be paid for. And they included religious teachings in their schools. Others, such as Protestants, etc., felt that schooling should be free to all, funded by public taxes. Immigration: Mormons encouraged more and more Mormon converts to come to Utah. Others thought that we should keep the land and jobs for those already here. Polygamy: the practice of multiple wives bugged other Americans a lot, and seemed indecent. Mormons on the other hand believed their right to do so was protected by the Bill of Rights, and no one’s business. Modern Day Perspective on Polygamy

Federal Punishment of Polygamy So, in order to enforce their version of morality, the U.S. Congress passed the following laws against polygamy, one of the “twins of barbarism” according to the newly formed Republican Party: Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act (1862): Stated that no one was allowed to marry more than one person at the same time, and no church in the territories could own more than $50,000 (a clear attack on the Mormon church). The bill wasn’t heavily enforced however. The Edmunds Act (1882): Made polygamy punishable by a $500 fine and up to 5 years in prison. Polygamists also lost the right to vote, hold office, be in juries, etc. The Edmunds-Tucker Act (1887): Took the vote away from all Utahn women, and all polygamist men. Abolished the local militia and confiscated all the property of the LDS church. The last law devastated the LDS church, taking away their many businesses, banks, property, etc. Mormons basically lived as outlaws.

Living on the Underground After the Edmunds and Edmunds-Tucker Acts were passed, many men and some women went to prison for practicing polygamy. If you didn’t want that, you could go “underground” or into hiding, and move to a Mormon colony outside of the country, like in Mexico or Canada, or hide in other places where you wouldn’t be known and punished for your “crime.”

Polygamy & Court The LDS church believed that the Supreme Court would uphold their right to practice polygamy, as protected by the first amendment. They were wrong; in Reynolds v. The United States, the Supreme Court said that only religious belief, not its practice, was protected, so polygamy laws were not unjust. Meanwhile, in Utah things got worse. Mormons were in shock over the ruling, and many nonmormons made a game of going on “cohab” hunts, nabbing polygamists for cohabitation, and getting roughly $20 per person they grabbed. Can you imagine if we did a similar thing today? Think-Pair-Share: What groups of people might be targeted today? Is that fair? Polygamy Handout

The Manifesto: After all the trials and difficulties that Mormons who practiced polygamy suffered, it is difficult for many of us to not feel for them. After all, in their eyes, they were simply trying to live their lives as they thought best, with the world coming after them for it. Wilfred Woodruff, the 4th president of the LDS church, after John Taylor (who died in hiding), realized that the LDS Church could not survive this onslaught. After much consideration and prayer, he issued the Manifesto (1890), which officially ended the church’s support of polygamy. This satisfied many people, as they saw the practice as evil. President Harrison also issued a pardon for all past polygamists, and things got considerably better for many people, although many polygamists felt somewhat abandoned by their faith, leading to some to leave the LDS church and to continue with polygamy in hiding.

Reminders: Make sure to finish your “Changing Times” letter, as well as your guided notes from ch. 10 if you haven’t already. Don’t forget to finish reading the Reynolds vs. The United States court case and questions. That’s it; otherwise enjoy the weekend!