Manifest Destiny 12.1 The Oregon Country

Rivalry in the Northwest The Oregon Country was the huge area located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains North of California. Includes- Oregon, Washington, Idaho, parts of Montana & Wyoming

Rivalry in the Northwest It also contained about half of what is now British Columbia, Canada.

Rivalry in the Northwest Great Britain- Based its claim on the exploration of the Columbia River. Spain- had explored the Pacific Coast in the late 1700’s and controlled California to the South. Russia- had settlements from Alaska into Oregon.

Rivalry in the Northwest Adams-Onis Treaty Americans wanted control of the Oregon Country to gain access to the Pacific Ocean. 1819 John Quincy Adams negotiated the Adams-Onis Treaty with Spain.

Rivalry in the Northwest Adams-Onis Treaty Spain agreed to set limits to its territory to what is now Northern California giving up claim to Oregon.

Rivalry in the Northwest Adams-Onis Treaty In 1824 Russia surrendered its claim to the land south of Alaska.

Rivalry in the Northwest Adams-Onis Treaty Britain remained the only challenger to American control of the Oregon Country. In 1818 John Quincy Adams worked out an agreement with Britain for joint occupation. P.7

Rivalry in the Northwest In 1825 Adams proposed dividing Oregon along the 49th parallel, but Britain refused wanting a larger portion of the territory. Thousands of Americans would settle this area forcing the issue towards a resolution.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men First Americans to reach the Oregon Country were fur traders. Beaver pelts were in great demand in the east.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men John Jacob Astor Established the American Fur company building trade in the Pacific Northwest, China, and east Coast.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men At first merchants traded for furs with Native Americans, but American adventurers soon joined the trade. They spent most of their time in the Rocky Mountains and were called mountain men.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men These men made their living by trapping. Many had Native American Wives. Lived in Buffalo skin lodges Dressed in buckskin pants and moccasins.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men The mountain men used their furs to trade for guns, traps, coffee and other supplies.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men Some famous mountain men: Jim Beckwourth- explored Wyoming’s green River Robert Stuart and Jedediah Smith found the South Pass through the Rocky’s, the main route to Oregon.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men Mountain men had to be resourceful in order to survive. They would eventually hunt beaver to near extinction and could no longer trap.

Rivalry in the Northwest Mountain Men Some mountain men would eventually become farmers Others like Kit Carson and Jim Bridger would become guides to people moving west. 12-1A

Settling Oregon Americans began settling Oregon in the 1830’s Economic Woes (Depression of 1837) made the west look attractive.

Settling Oregon Whitman Mission First settlers were missionaries. Dr. Marcus Whitman Went to Oregon in 1836 built a mission near present day Walla Walla, WA. They lived among the Cayuse Indians.