Mormon Migration

Definition

The Mormon migration refers to the large-scale movement of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, from the eastern United States to the western territories in the mid-19th century. This migration was a pivotal event that shaped the development of the American West and the growth of the Mormon religion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Mormon migration began in 1846 after the Mormons were forced to flee their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois due to religious persecution.
2. The Mormons traveled across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, eventually settling in the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah, which became the center of the Mormon religion.
3. The Mormon migration was facilitated by the use of new transportation technologies, such as the steamboat and the railroad, which allowed for the movement of large groups of people and their belongings.
4. The Mormons used a system of handcarts and wagons to transport their belongings during the migration, which required a significant amount of physical labor and endurance.
5. The Mormon migration had a lasting impact on the development of the American West, as the Mormons established settlements, built infrastructure, and engaged in agricultural and industrial activities that contributed to the region's growth.

Review Questions

• Describe the key factors that led to the Mormon migration in the mid-19th century.
  • The Mormon migration was primarily driven by religious persecution and the desire for the Mormons to establish a new home where they could practice their faith freely. After being forced to flee their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, the Mormons set out on a long and arduous journey across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, eventually settling in the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah. The migration was facilitated by the use of new transportation technologies, such as steamboats and railroads, which allowed for the movement of large groups of people and their belongings.
• Explain how the Mormon migration contributed to the development of the American West.
  • The Mormon migration had a significant impact on the development of the American West. The Mormons established settlements, built infrastructure, and engaged in agricultural and industrial activities that contributed to the region's growth. They played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States, helping to solidify American control over the western territories. Additionally, the Mormons' use of new transportation technologies, such as wagons and handcarts, helped to pave the way for other settlers and pioneers to follow in their footsteps, further accelerating the development of the American West.
• Analyze the role of the transportation revolution in facilitating the Mormon migration and its broader impact on the settlement of the American West.
  • The transportation revolution of the 19th century was a key factor in enabling the Mormon migration and the broader settlement of the American West. The availability of steamboats and railroads allowed the Mormons to transport large groups of people and their belongings across the vast distances of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. This was a significant improvement over previous modes of transportation, such as wagons and handcarts, which required immense physical labor and endurance. The transportation revolution not only facilitated the Mormon migration but also made it possible for other settlers and pioneers to follow in their footsteps, further accelerating the westward expansion of the United States. This, in turn, contributed to the development of the American West, as new settlements were established, infrastructure was built, and economic activities, such as agriculture and industry, took root in the region. The transportation revolution, therefore, played a crucial role in shaping the course of American history and the settlement of the western territories.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, which contributed to the motivations behind the Mormon migration.

Westward Expansion: The movement of American settlers and pioneers towards the western regions of the United States, which the Mormons were a part of during their migration.

Pioneer Trails: The network of trails and routes used by settlers, including the Mormons, to travel westward, such as the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail.