Utah Territory

The Utah Territory was a region established in 1850 by the U.S. government, covering what is now Utah and surrounding areas. It was created to organize the western lands and was primarily settled by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who migrated there seeking religious freedom. The territory faced challenges like conflicts with Native American tribes and tensions with the federal government over practices such as polygamy. Utah remained a territory until it gained statehood in 1896, becoming the 45th state. The area played a significant role in westward expansion and American religious history.