The Rush to Statehood: How the West Was Won (and Became Part of the USA)
Okay, so you’ve probably heard the stories of cowboys, gold rushes, and the Wild West. But how did all those territories actually become states in the United States? It’s a fascinating story of self-reliance, opportunity, and a little bit of political maneuvering.
The "We Can Do It Ourselves" Spirit
One thing that really stood out in the American West was this fierce independent streak. People didn’t wait around for the government to solve their problems. If there was trouble, they formed their own groups – sometimes called "vigilantes" – to keep the peace and deal with outlaws.
But it wasn’t just about fighting crime. As soon as enough folks settled down, they started thinking about setting up their own governments. There’s this great example from Oregon back in 1843, where the pioneers basically said, "Hey, if the main government isn’t really here to help us, we’re going to make our own rules to keep us safe and happy. But, as soon as the government is here, we’ll listen to them."
And that’s the spirit! These people were all about local control. They wanted to run their own affairs, and that meant becoming a state.
Why Statehood Mattered
Being a territory of the United States wasn’t quite the same as being a state. For one thing, the governor and other important officials were appointed by politicians way back in Washington D.C. Plus, the federal government had a lot of say over things like land, minerals, and water – all super important resources.
So, it wasn’t just about pride or independence. It was also about having a real say in how things were run, who got what, and how the resources were used.
Nebraska and Colorado: A Quick Path to the Union
Some territories had an easier time becoming states than others. Take Nebraska, for example. It was organized as a territory thanks to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which was a big deal leading up to the Civil War. Because it was north of Kansas, Nebraska didn’t get caught up in the same slavery debates and was mostly settled by farmers from the North.
Even though it only had about 67,000 people, the folks in Washington D.C. liked Nebraska and gave it statehood in 1867.
Then there was Colorado, down to the southwest. They started out small in 1861, but things changed fast. The discovery of silver and gold in places like Leadville and Cripple Creek brought in a ton of miners and prospectors. Denver, which started as a small camp, turned into a bustling city. By 1875, they figured there were at least 100,000 people in the territory. So, in 1876, Congress agreed to make Colorado a state.
The Great State Stampede (1889-1890)
For a while, things got stuck. Congress couldn’t agree on admitting any new states. But that changed in 1889, partly thanks to what was happening in the Dakota Territory.
The Dakotas used to be seen as Sioux Indian land, and their reservation blocked the westward expansion. But then gold was found in the Black Hills, and that changed everything. People poured in, even before Congress could officially open up the land. Farmers from Minnesota and other states, plus immigrants from Scandinavia, Germany, and Canada, all came looking for fertile land.
The soil in the Red River Valley was incredibly rich, and the opening of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 made it easier to ship goods back east. The population exploded – from 135,000 in 1880 to over half a million in less than ten years!
The Dakotans were like, "Hey, Nebraska got in with way fewer people! Why are we still waiting?" At the same time, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming were all pushing for statehood too.
But politics got in the way. The Democrats didn’t want to add more Republican states. But eventually, they caved, and in 1889, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Montana all became states. In 1890, the Republicans brought Idaho and Wyoming into the Union, with Wyoming already allowing women to vote.
Utah’s Polygamy Problem
Utah was a bit of a special case. It had a strong, hardworking community, but its application for statehood was held up because of polygamy (the practice of having multiple wives). Congress had outlawed it in 1862, but the law wasn’t really enforced.
In 1882, Congress tried again to stop polygamy. And in 1887, they even threatened to take away the Mormon Church’s property if the practice didn’t end. Meanwhile, more and more non-Mormons moved to Utah, and the Mormon leaders realized they couldn’t win this fight.
Finally, in 1896, Utah became a state, but only after promising to ban polygamy forever.
The Final Pieces of the Puzzle
That left just a few more territories to become states. Oklahoma, which had been mostly Indian reservation land, was opened to white settlers in 1889. The rush for land was insane. People showed up in wagons, on horseback, and on foot, all trying to claim a piece of the territory. Towns like Guthrie and Oklahoma City popped up overnight. Within a year, there were schools, churches, businesses, and newspapers.
Within 15 years, Oklahoma had over half a million people. Arizona and New Mexico, with about 125,000 and 200,000 people respectively, also wanted to become states.
The Republicans in Congress weren’t too thrilled about adding more Democratic states. But in 1907, they gave in and admitted Oklahoma. In 1910, the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives, and Arizona and New Mexico became states within two years.
And that was it! The continental United States was complete.
In Conclusion
The story of how the American West became part of the United States is a story of ambition, determination, and a belief in self-government. It wasn’t always easy or fair, but it’s a big part of what shaped the country we know today.