Iowa's initial attempts at achieving statehood failed because of political disagreements and rivalries between different factions within the territory. One major issue was the question of whether Iowa should become a free state or a slave state, as this was a contentious issue in the early 19th century. Another factor was the lack of a unified political leadership and a clear consensus on the terms of statehood. Additionally, there were challenges in meeting the population and economic requirements set by the federal government for statehood. Ultimately, these factors contributed to the initial failure of Iowa's statehood efforts.
