Chapter 12 Section 4 California and Utah Objectives 1. Identify the Mormons, two of their beliefs, and how they became important for western travelers 2. Explain why many settlers were attracted to California during the late 1840’s and early 1850’s 3. Describe a Boomtown, vigilante, and how people made money other than from gold. 4. Explain why California becomes state easily while Utah struggles to become a state.
XIV. Utah A. The group that helped Utah become a state is the Mormons 1. Their other name is The Church of Later Day Saints 2. Beliefs a. No private property b. A man could have more than one wife 3. Moved from Illinois to New York to Utah a. In Utah settled at the Great Salt Lake B. The first leader of the Mormons Joseph Smith is killed by non-members for his beliefs 1) Replaced by Brigham Young 2) Sets up a settlement that becomes Salt Lake City C. Salt Lake City becomes a trading center for people traveling west 1) Mormons would sell supplies 2) They become a wealthy group and gain a great deal of power D. Does not become a state until 1896 because of Mormon Beliefs
XV. California A. The state of California is still influenced by the Spanish Culture 1. Homes 2. Food B. Americans rush to California after gold is found in 1848 1. Found at Sutter’s Mill 2. People that came out after that were known as forty-niners 3. Many spent their life savings C. Boomtowns 1. These were communities that sprung up overnight around the focus of finding gold 2. Often these places would have banks, hotels, stores, and saloons 3. Many never found gold but made their fortunes with new business’ a. New pants were invented to work in the fields by Levi Strauss b. A butcher made his fortune and create Oscar Mayer 4. Often the law was very scarce so people took the law into their hands as vigilantes a. Often would arrest and hand out punishment at the same time 5. Once the gold was gone the boomtown fell into ruin D. California becomes a state 1. The US gains California in 1848 from Mexico 2. California became a state in 1851, mostly because of the gold rush