The Mormons (1837-1890)

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  • The Mormons
    • Why didn't the Mormons get on with people in the east?
      • POLITICAL
        • The Mormons had their own army (the Nauvoo Legion)
        • Joseph Smith (leader) was planning on running for US President.
        • They were allowed to make their own laws in Nauvoo as it was an independent city state.
      • RELIGIOUS
        • The Mormons were critical of other religions.
        • They wanted to convert as many people as possible to Mormonism.
        • They thought that they were God's chosen people.
      • SOCIAL
        • The Mormons opposed slavery.
        • They were friendly with the Plains Indians.
        • They disapproved of gambling and drinking.
        • They believed and practiced polygamy.
        • There were 35,000 Mormons in Nauvoo - scared the Gentiles.
      • ECONOMICS
        • Gentiles lost money after the 1837 Economic Depression and Bank Crash - blamed it on Mormons.
        • The Mormons worked hard and were prosperous - led to jealously.
        • The Mormons owned businesses
    • Where did the Mormons try to settle?
      • KIRTLAND, OHIO
        • The Mormons lived in Kirtland from 1831-37.
        • They soon outnumbered gentiles, which led to hate and envy of the Mormons.
        • They were chased out of Kirtland when banks collapsed in 1837 and savings were lost. It was blamed on the Mormons.
      • INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI
        • They lived in Independence from 1837-38.
        • Attempts were made to stop Mormons from voting in elections. Rioters destroyed property and the Mormons were blamed from the trouble.
        • Their leaders (inc. Smith) were imprisoned and condemned to death. The Mormons were declared as public enemies and driven from the state.
      • NAUVOO, ILLINOIS
        • They lived in Nauvoo from 1839-46.
        • In 1844, Smith had a revelation from God which said that certain Mormons could practise polygamy.
        • In 1844, Smith announced that he would run for US President, which worried gentiles.
        • In 1845, Smith was shot dead in jail in Carthage and Brigham Young became the new leader.
    • Why did the Mormons go west to Salt Lake City?
      • Salt Lake City was controlled by Mexico at the time.
      • They could practise their religion freely.
      • It was large and isolated, making it easy to settle there.
      • There was fertile land for farming.
      • Travelling and settling in Salt Lake - Problems & their solutions:
        • Moving 16,000 Mormons across the Great Plains
          • Using a 'Pioneer Band' to clear a path for the rest to follow.
          • Setting up rest camps along the Mississippi River and the Plains (Winter Quarters).
          • Wagons travelled in double file to protect against possible Indian attack.
          • Using a bugle to tell everyone when to get up and when to sleep - meant everyone moved together.
        • Division of land in Salt Lake City
          • Mormons believed Young was influenced by God and didn't question his decision.
          • Divided land based on size of family and jobs.
        • Settling the whole of the Territory of Utah
          • Set up towns of Carson City and Las Vegas - this gave them more than one base.
          • Established settlements where farming was possible.
          • Created settlements on the Territory's borders to guard the empire.
    • Other problems faced by the Mormons
      • The issue of polygamy
        • Finally banned by the Mormons in the 1890s so Utah could become a state.
      • The US winning the Mexican American War in 1848.
        • Young became governor of the Territory of Utah after being refused the new (and larger) state of Deseret.
      • Getting more Mormons to come to Utah
        • The Perpetual Emigrating Fund was set up so converts from Europe could travel to Utah. Almost 33,000 converts were ready to depart by the end of 1851.
      • The Mormon War & The Mountain Meadow Massacre
        • THE MORMAN WAR - CAUSES
          • Mormons charged high prices for ferries.
          • Many feared Young was creating a theocracy.
          • Indians were becoming Mormons - worried gentiles.
        • THE MOUNTAIN MEADOW MASSACRE
          • 150 gentiles were killed by Mormons because the Mormon militia leader didn't want any witnesses.
          • 17 children were left and raised as Mormons.
          • Only one Mormon was convicted - John Lee in 1877. He was executed.
          • The Mormons tried to blame the massacre on the Plains Indians.
  • Irrigation of the land
    • A main irrigation ditch was built through all the farming land.
    • Travelling and settling in Salt Lake - Problems & their solutions:
      • Moving 16,000 Mormons across the Great Plains
        • Using a 'Pioneer Band' to clear a path for the rest to follow.
        • Setting up rest camps along the Mississippi River and the Plains (Winter Quarters).
        • Wagons travelled in double file to protect against possible Indian attack.
        • Using a bugle to tell everyone when to get up and when to sleep - meant everyone moved together.
      • Division of land in Salt Lake City
        • Mormons believed Young was influenced by God and didn't question his decision.
        • Divided land based on size of family and jobs.
      • Settling the whole of the Territory of Utah
        • Set up towns of Carson City and Las Vegas - this gave them more than one base.
        • Established settlements where farming was possible.
        • Created settlements on the Territory's borders to guard the empire.
    • Side ditches were built to irrigate the remaining land.
    • Each person was given a time slot to irrigate their land.

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