How Montana Became a State

Montana is a state in the northwestern United States, known for its rugged beauty and vast expanses of wilderness. It is the fourth largest state in the country, with a population of just over 1 million. Montana has a rich history, stretching back to the days of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and has been a part of the United States since 1889.

Pre-Statehood

Early Exploration

The early exploration of Montana began in the late 1700s, when the Lewis and Clark Expedition ventured through the area on their journey to the Pacific Ocean. After the expedition, fur trappers and traders began to explore the area, and the first permanent settlement was established in 1809 at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. As more settlers began to move into the area, the United States government began to take an interest in the region, and in 1812, the Missouri Territory was established, which included the area of present-day Montana.

Native American Tribes

The area of present-day Montana was home to a number of Native American tribes, including the Blackfeet, Crow, Cheyenne, and Sioux. These tribes had lived in the area for centuries, and had developed a unique culture and way of life. The early settlers and the United States government often clashed with the Native American tribes, as the settlers sought to take control of the land and resources. This led to a number of conflicts between the two sides, and ultimately resulted in the displacement of many of the tribes from their ancestral homelands.

Montana Territory

Creation of Montana Territory

The creation of the Montana Territory was a long process that began in 1864. The area was first part of the Dakota Territory, which was created in 1861. The Dakota Territory was split into two territories in 1863, with the Montana Territory being created in the western part. This area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Crow, Blackfeet, and Sioux. The area was also home to fur traders, missionaries, and miners.

The creation of the Montana Territory was largely due to the efforts of the Montana Historical Society, which was founded in 1865. The society was dedicated to preserving the history of the area and promoting its development. They pushed for the creation of the territory and worked to ensure that it was properly organized and governed.

Territorial Government

The first territorial government of Montana was established in 1864. The first governor was Sidney Edgerton, who was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. Edgerton was a strong advocate for the development of the territory and worked to ensure that it was properly organized and governed. He also worked to promote the development of the area's resources, including mining, timber, and agriculture.

The first territorial legislature was elected in 1865 and the first constitution was adopted in 1866. This constitution provided for a strong government, with a governor and a legislature. It also provided for the establishment of a court system and the creation of a public school system. The constitution also provided for the protection of civil rights and the establishment of a system of taxation.

The territorial government was in place until 1889, when Montana was admitted to the Union as the 41st state. During this time, the territorial government worked to promote the development of the area, including the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. They also worked to ensure that the area was properly governed and that civil rights were protected.

Statehood

Montana Constitutional Convention

In 1889, the citizens of Montana convened a constitutional convention in Helena to draft a constitution to be presented to Congress for statehood. The convention was attended by delegates from all of the territories’ major cities, including Missoula, Helena, Butte, and Bozeman. The delegates discussed a variety of topics, including the structure of the state government, the rights of citizens, and the taxation of property. The delegates also debated the issue of women’s suffrage, which was ultimately included in the Montana Constitution. The convention concluded after two months of deliberation, and the delegates adopted a constitution that was largely based on the constitutions of other western states.

Admission to the Union

After the Montana Constitutional Convention concluded, the delegates submitted the constitution to Congress for approval. Congress debated the merits of the constitution and ultimately approved it in 1890. Montana was officially admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889, becoming the 41st state. The state’s first governor, Joseph K. Toole, was sworn in shortly thereafter. Toole was a prominent figure in Montana politics and served as governor until 1893.

The admission of Montana to the Union was a momentous occasion for the citizens of the state. The citizens celebrated with parades and fireworks, and the state’s newspapers ran special editions to commemorate the event. The citizens of Montana were proud to be part of the United States and looked forward to the future of their new state.