1. Struggle for Statehood
Chapter 9
Struggle for Statehood

2. Utah’s Statehood
1847 Mormons Settle Utah
1896 Statehood for Utah

3. Number Heads together
What are some possible reasons that Utah would not have been granted Statehood earlier?

4. The Mood For 50 years there has been progress Large cities
Building a rich state of various cultures

5. The issues Mormon church leaders also control business and government
Polygamy
The Rumor mill
Utah petitions 6 times for statehood, denied all 6 Times

7. Number Heads Together
If the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and religion says polygamy should be practiced, why can’t Mormons practice Polygamy?

8. Why not Polygamy was seen to be immoral and against the natural law
When religion breaks the laws given by the constitution, religion is wrong
If religion called for human sacrifice for example, it would not be allowed

10. Utah Admitted as a territory
In 1850, slavery is a huge deal
The Slave states don’t want more free states
The Free states don’t want more slave states
Utah is admitted under the policy that they will choose whether to allow slavery or not

11. First Territorial Governor
All in all, for white settlers, Brigham Young did a lot for Utah
Started many settlements across the state
Led the way for a lot of interesting policies in Utah

12. Other Religions in Utah
Other religions start coming to Utah’s in the 1860’s
In order to make them feel more welcome, Brigham Young allows them to meet and speak in the SLC Tabernacle
Orson Pratt Debates Polygamy for 3 days

13. Polygamy

14. Congress attempts to Curb Mormon Influence
The US government thought that if Utah women could vote they would vote to end polygamy, thought women were oppressed
Utah’s leaders knew that women would vote to continue polygamy

15. Utah’s Answer Give women the right to vote
Only Wyoming beat Utah to the punch
Later to punish polygamists it was taken away

16. Federal Laws to Punish Polygamy
The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act
No one could be married to more than one person at a time
The Poland Bill
Put federally appointed judges in charge of territorial courts
The Edmunds Act
Polygamy is punishable by 5 years in prison
The Edmunds-Tucker Act
Required wives to testify against their husbands and took their right to vote

17. Issues with Utah Statehood
John W. Gunnison’s Theo-Democracy report
A “Mormon Stranglehold” on government
Utah-Mormon Culture, because of the huge majority, creates an alienating culture

18. Polygamy goes to court Reynolds v. The United States
Holding- The constitution protects the belief, but not necessarily the practice of religion
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”

19. Number Heads Together
What is your opinion on the court decision? How would you have voted?

20. Cohab hunts Hunting for cohabitants, or people living together
Most Mormon men would rather go to prison, than abandon their families

21. Cohab Hunts Most Federal agents go after children
Offer $20 for any information leading to the capture of a polygamist
Story

22. John Taylor With Joseph Smith at Carthage Jail
Went into hiding rather than be arrested for polygamy
Died in hiding in 1887

23. The Manifesto Huge step in helping Utah Territory achieve statehood
“I publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriages forbidden by the law of the land.” –Wilford Woodruff, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints