Washington's first bid for statehood failed because Congress was concerned about the state's lack of population. In 1861, Washington had around 11,000 people, which was far below the 60,000 minimum population required for statehood at the time. Additionally, the Civil War was starting, and Congress was preoccupied with that crisis. Finally, Washington was seen as a remote, sparsely populated territory on the other side of the country, with little political or strategic value.
