They heavily influenced not only religion in the American West, but also life in general. The Mormons settled further west than any other Americans had before, and established a functioning society in the Salt Lake Valley. The success of their migration inspired hope for the West, as other Americans followed their lead shortly after.
How did the Mormons influence the westward expansion?
The Mormon pioneers built their new home, and paved the way for future settlers. They heavily influenced not only religion in the American West, but also life in general. The Mormons settled further west than any other Americans had before, and established a functioning society in the Salt Lake Valley.
What was the first Mormon settlement in the west?
Mormons in the American West. The first community established in the Salt lake Valley in 1847 was called Bountiful. The next year, lands were purchased in present-day Ogdon and in 1859, Tooele, Provo and Manti were founded. Fillmore, Utah, intended to be the capitol of the new territory, was established in 1851.
Why did the Mormons relocate?
The Mormons frequently relocated before migrating west, due to religion persecution. Bathsheba Smith expresses moments of hardship, as she recalls, “In this State I saw thousands of mobbers arrayed against the Saints.” They were forced to give up property and leave because outside populations did not agree with their beliefs ( Smith n.d., 5 ).
What did the Mormon pioneers accomplish?
The pioneers set out to find a home that offered freedom, and found just that in the American West. However, they accomplished much more than that. The Mormon pioneers built their new home, and paved the way for future settlers. They heavily influenced not only religion in the American West, but also life in general.
How did Mormons affect westward expansion?
Poorly prepared - in Spring 1846, mobs looted Mormons' workshops, forcing them to leave Nauvoo before they were ready for their long trek to Salt Lake. Brigham Young (Mormon leader) sent advance 'pioneers' ahead, to plant crops, build houses, set up staging posts for the travellers.
Why did the Mormons move west and what was their impact?
The Mormons, as they were commonly known, had moved west to escape religious discrimination. After the murder of founder and prophet Joseph Smith, they knew they had to leave their old settlement in Illinois. Many Mormons died in the cold, harsh winter months as they made their way over the Rocky Mountains to Utah.
Who were the Mormons and why did they migrate westward quizlet?
A Mormon settlement in Utah territory formed when Mormons traveled West to escape religious persecution. He became the leader of the Mormon Church after Joseph Smith's death. He chose Utah as the destination for Mormon resettlement. Agents who were hired by Mexico to bring settlers to Texas in the early 1800s.
Why did Mormons migrate to the western United States quizlet?
After Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in Illinois in 1844, the Mormons decided to move westward in order to escape continued persecution.
Why was the Mormon migration successful?
The Mormon Migration succeeded because: Young carefully planned the logistics, ensuring there was enough supplies to last the journey. Young consulted with trail guides to find the quickest and safest routes. He sent a 'Pioneer Band' of 150 men and 70 wagons to be the first to travel to the Great Salt Lake.
Who led the Mormons west in 1846?
Brigham YoungIn 1845 mob violence against the Mormon community increased, and the Illinois legislature revoked the city's charter. Brigham Young, who was emerging as the church's new leader, conducted a census that fall, counting more than 3,000 families and some 2,500 wagons.
What was the Utah War and how did it affect the Mormon community?
The Utah War (1857–1858), also known as the Utah Expedition, Utah Campaign, Buchanan's Blunder, the Mormon War, or the Mormon Rebellion was an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers in the Utah Territory and the armed forces of the US government. The confrontation lasted from May 1857 to July 1858.
Why did the Mormons go to Utah quizlet?
Why did the Mormons decide to move to Utah? They feared being attacked by people who were not Mormon. Which groups migrated to California after 1848?
About the Seminar
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, popularly known as the Mormons, grew from a small sect in the 1830s to one of the world's great religions today. Its story, fascinating in its own right, reveals much about the United States, and especially the American West, in the 19th century.
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Why did the Mormons settle in Utah?
Why the Mormons Settled in Utah. Young led the Mormons on their great trek westward through the wilderness some 1,300 miles to the Rocky Mountains—a rite of passage they saw as necessary in order to find their promised land. Young led the Mormons on their great trek westward through the wilderness some 1,300 miles to the Rocky Mountains—a rite ...
Why were Mormons drawn to the Salt Lake Valley?
Despite warnings about the region’s unsuitability for agriculture and the hostile Native Americans living near the smaller , freshwater Utah Lake, the Mormons were drawn to the low population of the Salt Lake Valley. And the mountains ringing the valley were stocked with freshwater streams and creeks that could nourish crops, despite the saltiness of the Great Salt Lake itself. “It didn’t seem to be wanted by any other white people,” Bowman says of Young’s chosen spot. “There was not a large Native American presence, but there was the potential for agriculture, and for supporting a large population.”
What was the Mormon practice of plural marriage?
Though Young eventually agreed to be replaced as territorial governor, the Mormon practice of plural marriage would delay Utah’s statehood for nearly four more decades. Congress began passing laws trying to get rid of polygamy (or bigamy, as it was then called) in the early 1860s.
How many Mormons were in Utah in 1896?
By 1896, when Utah was granted statehood, the church had more than 250,000 members, most living in Utah. Today, according to official LDS statistics, Utah is ...
What state did Deseret map cover?
In 1849, he sent representatives to Congress with a proposed map of the state of Deseret (a word from the Book of Mormon meaning “honeybee”.) The state would have been massive, encompassing present- day Utah, most of Nevada, good chunks of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Idaho, and even the city of San Diego.
How many miles did the Mormons trek through the wilderness?
Two years later, Young led the Mormons on their great trek westward through the wilderness some 1,300 miles to the Rocky Mountains—a rite of passage they saw as necessary in order to find their promised land. Young, and 148 Mormons, crossed into the Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. For the next two decades, wagon trains bearing thousands ...
Why all the hostility against Smith and his fellow Mormons?
“They tended to vote in blocs, they tended to consolidate all their economic activity within their own communities. These kinds of things generated suspicion from people around them.”
What did the Mormons do in the 19th century?
Upon arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, the Mormons publicly announced the practice of plural marriage, which Smith had instituted in secret some years earlier. Plural marriage would become the faith’s most famous characteristic during the 19th century.
What was the Missouri Mormon War?
When many of the Kirtland church members followed him to Missouri, tensions escalated with the old Missouri settlers, which led to what has become known as the Missouri Mormon War. Missouri’s “old settlers,” characterized the Mormons as fanatics whose clannish behavior made a mockery of republican institutions by placing power in the hands of a single man.
What river did the Mormons use to get to Fort Kearny?
While the Platte River was the main Mormon Trail to Fort Kearny, Nebraska, second in importance was their use of the original trail from Independence to Fort Kearny, especially by the thousands of Mormons who emigrated from England, and by boats via New Orleans and St. Louis to Independence, or by rail via New York.
How many Mormons were killed in 1838?
Between August and November 1838, more than 20 Mormons were killed. Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. Over the next year, an estimated 10,000 Mormons were forced to leave the state, most settling in or near what would become the city of Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1839, Smith directed the construction ...
How long did Brigham Young's shadow government last?
Brigham Young maintained a “shadow government” for years and conflict between the Mormons and the federal government, particularly over the issue of polygamy, would continue for nearly 40 years.
When was the Book of Mormon published?
This work, published in 1830, as the Book of Mormon, served as a foundation for Smith’s organization, first called the Church of Christ, established April 6, 1830. It was later renamed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kirkland, Ohio Mormon Temple, courtesy Wikipedia.
Where did the wagon train go?
Wagon Train in Utah. In the spring of 1846, Brigham Young sent out 80 wagons equipped to travel into the Rocky Mountains, where it was rumored that an inland sea, with fertile lands bordering it, awaited their coming, and where they could build up an empire outside of the jurisdiction of the United States.
What obstacles did the pioneers face?
The pioneers’ path west was littered with obstacles. Early on, rivers served as barriers for the pioneers. Companies sometimes had to wait due to poor weather, as William Clayton explained: “We have spent the past week waiting for crossing over the river. It has been hard frost and much snow.” Teams of pioneers even crossed at different times, as some people had to wait another day before they could advance ( Clayton, 2 ). The crossing of hills created bigger problems for wagons, as Clayton expressed: “It is so very steep as to be almost impossible for heavy wagons to ascend.” To avoid the hill Clayton referenced, some pioneers had the task of cutting out a road for the wagons to pass over safely. The difficult job would prove to be well worth it, though, as the top of the hill presented a view of the Great Salt Lake ( Clayton, 307-308 ).
Who wrote "Leaving Missouri"?
Leaving Missouri by C. C. A. Christensen – Brigham Young University Museum of Art. Public Domain.