Struggle for Statehood
Mormons Wanted to practice
their religion freely. Felt threatened
because outsiders kept moving in.
Non-Mormons Wanted a
separation of church and state
Saw polygamy as a immoral act.
Didn’t want the LDS church to be so powerful.
Conflict in the territory
How much could a person or group be different and still be considered a
good American?
DNW
Within a year the LDS people wanted to be a state.
Bigger than it is today.◦ Went all the way to San Diego
Wanted to call it “Deseret” which means honeybee.
Were denied statehood
Proposed State
Balance between slave and free states in question.
Compromise is made that cut Utah territory down.
Legislature voted to make slavery legal. Utahans angry that outsiders are making
the laws.
Compromise of 1850
What was at stake? What did Henry Clay propose? What was the outcome of the Compromise? How did affect Utah? Have you ever had to make a compromise? How did it make you feel? Is compromise in politics a good thing? Did you feel that the end justify the means?
Compromise of 1850
DNW
Bracelets Pro of having
bracelets? Con of having
bracelets?
Officials complain of miss treatment by the Mormons.
LDS church officially announced polygamy Rumors of Mormons outlaw-ish behavior. President Buchanan sends the troops based
on the rumors.
Rumors of War
President Buchanan released BY as the Governor and replaces him.
Send soldiers and wagons to stop the rumored rebellion.
Mormon’s prepare for war.◦ Militia swells over 5,000 men
On the Road to War
Washington ignorant of traveling conditions and sends the army.
Captain Lot Smith harasses US army◦ Burns supply wagons◦ Chases off livestock◦ Burns Ft. Bridger and Ft. Supply
Snow and lack of supplies stop the army.
Trouble on the trail.
Decide to abandon the northern communities
Were prepared to torch north area Buried the Temple foundation Army arrived to a deserted SLC Establish Camp Floyd
The Move South
A wagon train company of 120 Missourians and Arkansasans coming through Utah.
Parley P Pratt was murdered in Arkansas Travelers mistreating Mormon and Indians Waved white flag to stop fighting The party then was killed except for 18
children John D. Lee was killed for leading the
massacre.
Mountain Meadows Massacre
Camp Floyd became the third biggest city Help formed Fairfield Town was full of disreputable behaviors and
hated by the Mormons Governor Cummings was known to be fair
Camp Floyd
Established to protect mail route Lead by Col. Connor Started a cold war
Fort Douglass
Utah voted to give the women the right to vote.
Outsiders hoped women would vote to end polygamy
When women supported it they denied women the right to vote.
Women's Rights
Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act: One spouse was allowed
Edmunds Act: Polygamist 5 years and $500 in fines.
Edmunds-Tucker Act: Plural wives to testify against husband. Took vote away from women. Took away property from church.
Laws against polygamy
Took all property away and the Mormons had to pay rent to gov.
Men went to prison◦ Reynolds v. The United States: The court ruled
that it protected beliefs but not necessarily the practice
Polygamist lived underground. Mormons settle outside of USA
Edmunds-Tucker Act Results
BY died before they went in hiding John Taylor 3rd leader Died in hiding Wilford Woodruff 4th leader
While they were hiding
Wilford Woodruff issue a proclamation that ended polygamy in the Mormon church
This was a huge step in helping Utah become a state.
Manifesto