George W. P. Hunt

In the United States new lands must become territories before they can become states. Toward the end of the 1800s the people who lived in the Arizona Territory wanted to gain the powers of statehood. Instead of having their officials appointed to them, they wanted to choose their own governors and judges, and be able to vote for the President.

Arizona was proving that it was ready to become a state. The defeat of the Apaches helped make the territory safer and so the population grew from 40,000 to 90,000 between 1880 and 1887. In 1891 the people of Arizona prepared a constitution, a plan for government. They asked Congress if Arizona Territory could become a state. Congress said no because they thought the population was too small, it did not have enough money, it was just a desert and it was where the outlaws lived. Arizonans fought with Congress about becoming a state for over 20 years. It was even suggested that Arizona and New Mexico join together to become a state, but the Arizonans voted against the plan.

Finally, in June 1910, Congress passed a law allowing Arizona to become a state. Arizonans had a constitution written and approved by December 1911. On February 14, 1912, President William Howard Taft signed a bill making Arizona a state. The Arizonans were victorious. Later that year the Arizonans chose their first governor, George W.P. Hunt.