GE 465 Social and Political Issues in Nevada

1. GE 465Social and Political Issues in Nevada Unit 3 Explain the creation of the Nevada Territory Discuss the attempts at creating the Nevada Constitution

2. Nevada Territory • “Some people are malicious enough to think that if Satan were set free and told to confine himself to the Nevada Territory, he would get homesick and go back to hell again.” • …………………………Mark Twain 1863 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Ixb5lJf6I 10 min

3. Nevada Territory • 1861 – in a quest for Manifest Destiny, the US Congress wanted to expand the country westward • With pressure from certain business interests, the US Congress approved the creation of 3 new territories • Dakota Territory • Colorado Territory • Nevada Territory – which would be carved out of the Utah and New Mexico Territories

4. Nevada Territory • Who pressured the US Congress to create the Nevada Territory? • Hint -what industry was emerging in the West?

5. Nevada Territory • IN 1859, the discovery of silver (and to a lesser extend, gold) in Virginia City changed history • The powerful mining interests in Utah’s Carson County could not be controlled by the Utah Territorial government in Salt Lake City which was over 500 miles away

6. Nevada Territory • There was outright hostility between the territorial government, Mormons, and the mining interests • Mountain Meadow Massacre – the other 9/11 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8kcqpTkj6k 6 min • Carson County (present day Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, and Carson City) attempted to secede from the Utah Territory twice – both times being unsuccessful

7. Nevada Territory • The reason for their lack of success was because the people of Carson County did not want to allow slavery • Why wouldn’t mine owners want slaves? • The powerful Southern politicians in Congress protested and held up any legislation allowing Carson County to become its own territory • The beginning of the Civil War swept away this issue and Nevada gains territorial status

8. Nevada Territory • Unit 3 Writing Assignment – Part I • Please restate the question in your answer or write the question and the answer. • Read A Brief History of the Nevada Territory and answer these questions: • Who were the “Washoe people” referred to in the first paragraph? • For what two reasons were the people keen to separate themselves from the Utah Territory? • Why did the Union want Nevada as a separate territory? • Why was the eastern boundary of the Nevada Territory moved further east into Utah? • Did the Secretary of the Nevada Territory have a familiar name? Why? • Looking at the maps of the Nevada Territory in the reading, what assumption can be made about the size of the Nevada Territory when compared to the current State of Nevada?

9. Nevada Statehood • The Nevada Territorial legislature meets in 1862 to draft a constitution after the residents of the territory voted 6600-1502 for statehood • There were two men and two industries at odds over statehood • William Stewart a lawyer who was a friend of the mining interests • John North a judge who was a friend of the ranchers

10. Nevada Statehood • The ranchers (John North) wanted to tax miners at the same rate of tax that the ranchers needed to pay • The miners (William Stewart) saying the mines were only short term businesses, wanted special treatment and to pay very low taxes

11. Nevada Statehood • Before the US Congress will allow statehood, a state constitution must be adopted • When the constitution was written, Judge North and the ranchers prevailed and the miners were taxed at the same rate as the ranchers • A voting drive spearheaded by the mining interests and William Stewart, got the people of the Nevada Territory to vote down the constitution by a 8851-2157 margin • Without a constitution, Nevada could not become a state

12. Nevada Statehood • With pressure from Washington for statehood, the ranching interests backed down • Without a voting drive, the second attempt at approving the Nevada Constitution was successful by a margin of 10,375-1,284 • The mining interests got their special tax deal that still exists today • With Lincoln needing Nevada’s votes in the 1864 presidential election, and the Union needing Nevada’s silver to help finance the Civil War, Lincoln signed the Congressional legislation making Nevada a state on October 31, 1864

13. Nevada Statehood • October 31 is a holiday in the State of Nevada. It is called Nevada Day. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVgBIjVlz3A 8 min • What else is celebrated on October 31? State Flag

14. Nevada Statehood • Unit 3 Writing Assignment – Part II • Please restate the question in your answer or write the question and the answer. • Read Nevada Statehood and answer the following questions: • From what state constitution was the first attempt at a Nevada constitution modeled? • What was the major reason the first attempt at a constitution was rejected? • What was the purpose of the enabling act passed by the US Congress? • Explain two major reasons that Nevada statehood was put before the statehood of other territories. • According to the reading, what three major things were included in the successful Nevada Constitution? • What was the provision for the mining tax? • How did President Lincoln informed of the successful passage of the Nevada Constitution? • Look at the stamp. What industries do you think are represented?

15. Next Week • Test on Units 1-3 – all essay – 4 questions • Check the class website for the questions that may be asked on the exam • Remember, you may bring prepared answers for these questions for use on the exam • These answers must be handwritten • You may not use your textbook • Test will be given after the break