Wyoming: A Rundown for AP United States History
Timeline of Events:
- 1869: Wyoming grants women the right to vote, the first U.S. territory or state to do so.
- 1890: Wyoming becomes the 44th state of the Union.
- 1917: Wyoming ratifies the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote nationwide.
Important Legislation:
- 1869: Women’s Suffrage Act
- 1929: Teapot Dome Investigation
- 1971: Powder River Basin Coal Act
Important Court Cases:
- 1908: Laramie v. Albany County (Supreme Court case upholding women’s suffrage in Wyoming)
- 1984: Munro v. United States (Supreme Court case upholding the constitutionality of the Wyoming Coal Act)
Major Industry:
- Mining (coal, natural gas, oil)
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Wyoming’s pioneering role in women’s suffrage helped set the stage for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment.
- The Teapot Dome Scandal revealed widespread corruption in the federal government, leading to calls for reform.
- The Powder River Basin Coal Act established a framework for the regulation of coal mining in the western United States.
- Wyoming’s vast mineral resources have contributed significantly to the nation’s energy supply.
- The state’s rugged, sparsely populated landscapes have attracted tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, contributing to the country’s recreational tourism industry.