Colorado's Admission as the 38th State of the United States
1876 · Denver, United States
Colorado was admitted as the 38th state of the United States of America.
Nevada’s Admission as the 36th U.S. State
On October 31, 1864, Nevada was officially admitted to the Union as the 36th state. This event occurred in the midst of the American Civil War and was strategically significant to the Union for several reasons.
Context and Background
The Civil War Era: At the time of its admission, the United States was embroiled in the Civil War. The Union sought to bolster its strength against the Confederate states both politically and economically.
Strategic Importance: Nevada’s vast resources, particularly its rich deposits of silver discovered in the Comstock Lode in 1859, made it an economic asset to the Union. This wealth could be leveraged to finance the Union’s war efforts.
Political Considerations: President Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party were eager to secure Nevada’s support in the upcoming 1864 Presidential election. Nevada’s admission bolstered the Union by providing additional electoral votes for Lincoln’s re-election.
Key Events Leading to Statehood
Territorial Status: Before its statehood, Nevada was part of the Utah Territory until 1861, when it became a separate territory due to population growth spurred by mining prospectors and settlers.
State Constitution: The path to statehood involved drafting a state constitution. Nevada successfully drafted, passed, and submitted its constitution in a remarkably short period, reflecting the urgency of its admission as a state.
“Battle Born”: Nevada’s state motto, “Battle Born,” reflects its birth during a tumultuous period in U.S. history, amidst the conflict of the Civil War.
Aftermath and Significance
Political Impact: Nevada’s prompt admission aided in ensuring Abraham Lincoln’s presidential victory and contributed Republican votes to Congress, supporting Union policies and Lincoln’s vision for the country’s future.
Economic Contributions: Nevada’s mineral wealth played a crucial role in sustaining and growing the U.S. economy during and after the war.
Long-term Effects: The state’s admission affirmed the Union’s control and expansion westward, contributing to the rapid development of the American West and strengthening federal authority during reconstruction.
Nevada’s admission on October 31, 1864, underlined the intersection of strategic necessity and territorial expansion, cementing its place in the chronicles of American history as a pivotal state born out of war.