Question

Why was it required that the Oklahoma Constitution include a clause making polygamy illegal? A. National sentiment did not favor polygamy, and Congress did not want to upset the public. B. Many state leaders were reformed polygamists who did not want to encourage the practice in the state. C. Both New Mexico and Arizona were applying for statehood, but the federal government was wary of the large polygamous populations in the area. D. Men already outnumbered women in the territories, and the delegates did not want to make it any harder for men to find wives. Please select the best answer from the choices provided A B C D

Answer 1

The answer would be the first choice "National sentiment did not favor polygamy, and Congress did not want to upset the public." Furthermore, as explained in the Section 1-2 of the Oklahoma Constitution:

"Perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured, and no inhabitant of the State shall ever be abused in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship; and no religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights. Polygamous or plural marriages are forever prohibited."

Answer 2

The correct answer is C) Both New Mexico and Arizona were applying for statehood, but the federal government was wary of the large polygamous populations in the area.

It was required that the Oklahoma Constitution included a clause to making polygamy illegal because both New Mexico and Arizona, were applying for statehood, but the federal government was wary of the large polygamous populations in the area.

The Oklahoma Constitution of 1907 provided many good things such as protection to workers, although prohibited women the right to vote. The Constitution included solutions to problems demanded by progressists such as unemployment and poverty. Regarding marriage, legislators had to include a clause for making polygamy illegal. Today, polygamy is illegal in the United States, except for the Mormons.