When and why did polygamy become illegal in the US?

Answer 1

The reason polygamy is illegal in some countries because it is seen as immoral and unfair against women, the laws regarding polygamy tend to relate to the historical traditions of the area or country. Most Christian religions forbid bigamy and polygamy, others have seen to harm in it for hundreds of years. The role of religion in opposing polygamy is important but should not be overstated. The ancient Greeks outlawed polygamy long before the spread of Christianity. While not actually illegal in the early Roman Empire, it was strongly discouraged. Modern secular societies with no heritage of Christianity, such as China, also outlaw polygamy. Even some Islamic countries have moved to limit the rights of Muslim men to practise polygamy. So, while religion plays a part, the prohibition of polygamy is clearly more broadly based than religious beliefs. A further, credible reason for the widespread prohibition is the public good. Polygamy inevitably results in lowering the status of women, since women in plural marriages have a lower status than their shared husband, while female polygamy (polyandry) is seldom permitted and even more seldom practised. Also, the rich and powerful can corner the supply of eligible young women, leaving a proportion of other men unable to legally have intimate relations with a woman. This creates the circumstances for infidelity, rape and general crime born out of frustration and resentment.

Answer 2

The US Supreme Court didn't make polygamy illegal; Congress passed statutes outlawing the practice of plural marriage, and the Supreme Court upheld the laws as Constitutional.

Mormons, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, practiced polygamy (having more than one spouse) in the early days of the church. In the Mormon church, husbands could take multiple wives. Congress, determined to outlaw the practice, passed the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862 (not to be confused with the Morrill Land-Grant Act of the same year) targeting not only LDS marriage customs, but also attempting to prevent members of the Church and the institution, from accruing most of the land in Utah Territory. The practice of polygamy was anathema to certain mainstream Christian followers, so the laws may have had a significant basis in intolerance because they violated US social and religious norms.

Reynolds was the first test of the First Amendment Free Exercise Clause that guarantees the the freedom of religion.

First Amendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

On its face, the Constitution appears to forbid the US government from interfering in any aspect of religious practice. In Reynolds, however, the Waite Court held that Congress had no power to exercise control over opinions, but could limit actions that violated community social norms or subverted social order.

This decision created an exception to the First Amendment, demonstrating even constitutionally protected rights are not absolute.

Case Citation:

Reynolds v. United States, 98 US 145 (1878)

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 3

Polygamy is illegal in all free democratic countries, and dying out in others.

Polygamous families are very unstable in countries that provide women with full civil rights including education, divorce, jobs, the right to own property.

Answer 4

Polygamy became illegal in the United States in 1862

Answer 5

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