Oklahoma's journey to statehood was complex, blending territorial politics with Native American concerns. The process involved merging Oklahoma and Indian Territories, sparking debates on tribal rights and unified governance. This transition marked the end of Indian Territory and the birth of a new state.

The Oklahoma Constitutional Convention in Guthrie tackled key issues like representation, prohibition, and racial segregation. The resulting constitution was progressive for its time, including provisions for labor rights and corporate regulation, while also codifying Jim Crow laws.

Oklahoma's Path to Statehood

Territorial Foundations and Native American Policy

• Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890 established Oklahoma Territory created formal government structure for eventual statehood
• Curtis Act of 1898 abolished tribal courts and governments eroded Native American sovereignty
• Dawes Commission established in 1893 allotted tribal lands to individual Native Americans facilitated dissolution of tribal governments
  • Resulted in the loss of millions of acres of Native American land
  • Created "surplus" land available for white settlement

Legislative Steps Toward Statehood

• Enabling Act of 1906 authorized formation of state government from Oklahoma and Indian Territories
  • Set requirements for new state constitution
  • Outlined process for electing state officials
• Merger of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory sparked controversy
  • Many Native Americans opposed combination fearing loss of autonomy
  • Debate centered on preservation of tribal rights versus unified statehood
• President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Oklahoma 46th state on November 16, 1907
  • Marked end of Indian Territory as separate entity
  • Began new era of state governance and development

Significance of the Sequoyah Convention

Native American Statehood Efforts

• Sequoyah Convention held in 1905 attempted to create separate Native American state
  • Aimed to preserve tribal sovereignty and cultural identity
  • Named after Cherokee syllabary inventor Sequoyah
• Proposed State of Sequoyah encompassed present-day eastern Oklahoma (Indian Territory)
  • Would have been first predominantly Native American state
  • Boundaries roughly corresponded to Five Civilized Tribes' lands

Progressive Constitution and Political Impact

• Sequoyah Constitution drafted more progressive than contemporary state constitutions
  • Included women's suffrage predating 19th Amendment by 15 years
  • Prohibited child labor reflecting growing labor reform movement
• Congress rejected Sequoyah statehood proposal despite widespread Native American support
  • Favored single state combining Indian and Oklahoma Territories
  • Decision significantly impacted Native American autonomy and governance
• Failure of Sequoyah movement led to incorporation of Indian Territory into Oklahoma
  • Resulted in loss of potential Native American-controlled state
  • Influenced later debates in Oklahoma Constitutional Convention

Debates of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention

Representation and Governance

• Convention held in Guthrie from November 1906 to July 1907 brought together delegates from both territories
• Rural-urban power balance debated extensively
  • Disagreements over legislative representation (population-based vs. geographic)
  • Contentious selection of state capital location (eventually settled on Oklahoma City)
• Prohibition emerged as major issue
  • Temperance advocates succeeded in including prohibition clause
  • Reflected national debate on alcohol regulation and social reform

Social and Economic Issues

• Racial segregation debated resulted in inclusion of Jim Crow provisions
  • Mandated separate schools for white and African American students
  • Some delegates opposed these measures but were overruled
• Regulation of corporations and railroads became significant focus
  • Reflected national Progressive Era reforms (trust-busting, consumer protection)
  • Addressed local concerns about economic exploitation and monopolies
• Labor rights incorporated into constitution
  • Provisions for 8-hour workday aligned with national labor movement goals
  • Restrictions on child labor reflected growing awareness of exploitative practices

Native American Concerns

• Land rights and protection of Native American interests prominently debated
  • Discussions centered on preserving remaining tribal lands and resources
  • Addressed complexities of recent allotment policies and tribal dissolution
• Delegates grappled with integrating Indian Territory into new state structure
  • Considered special provisions for Native American representation
  • Debated preservation of tribal courts and legal systems

Provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution

Structural and Governance Elements

• Constitution established one of longest and most detailed state constitutions at the time
  • Reflected progressive and populist influences of early 20th century
  • Aimed to address wide range of social and economic issues
• Created bicameral legislature with House of Representatives and Senate
  • Set term limits for governor and other executive officers
  • Established checks and balances between branches of government
• Included initiative and referendum process
  • Allowed citizens to directly propose and vote on legislation
  • Provided mechanism for constitutional amendments through popular vote

Rights and Regulations

• Robust Bill of Rights extended beyond federal protections
  • Included right to work addressing labor concerns
  • Established protections against monopolies reflecting anti-trust sentiments
• Strong regulatory provisions for corporations and railroads included
  • Created Corporation Commission with broad oversight powers
  • Aimed to prevent economic exploitation and ensure fair business practices
• Mandated establishment of separate schools for white and African American students
  • Codified racial segregation in new state
  • Reflected prevailing racial attitudes of early 20th century South

Local Governance and Prohibition

• Established system of county governments
  • Provided for popular election of judges
  • Reflected commitment to local control and democratic principles
• Prohibition clause banned manufacture, sale, and importation of intoxicating liquors
  • Significantly impacted social and economic landscape of early Oklahoma
  • Led to rise of bootlegging and illegal alcohol production