Native Americans
American Indians inhabited Utah much before white came west.
They were nomadic hunter-gathers and worked with pottery,
basketry, and tools made of bone and stone. They lived in
clay/stone structures and formed small groups. Amongst these
groups were the Anasazi, Goshute, Paiute, Ute, and Navajo. Some
were fierce raiders and warriors and some defended their lands
in hopes of peace. Whites
In the late 1700's and early 1800's white trappers, miners, and
other explorers ventured into Utah from the east. They made
contact and for the most part remained on good terms. The Mormon
Pioneers trekked from the east and settled in various areas
including the Salt Lake valley beginning in 1847. Relationships
were good with the Indian people for some time but as trade
routes were disturbed contention came about. Brigham Young
established policy so the interactions would proceed
smoothly.
Conflict
As the white populations grew, the Natives became displaced and
wars began to form. Treatise and negotiations staved off many of
the conflicts. Land reservations for the Natives were
established and both groups were allowed to grow and produce.
Over time the movement of whites from the east began to fill the
lands and reservations were decreased in size.
Growth
As the continued to fill the areas the territory was made into a
state. Utah became the 45th state in January of 1896. It has
grown mostly in the central locations of the state. The Salt
Lake area, the Provo/Orem area, and the Ogden to Bountiful areas
have increased greatly in population.
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