Oregon Country Oregon Country- area west of the Rocky Mountains 1. Coastal areas have fertile soil and mild temperatures 2. inland had dense forests and many animals 3. Areas between the mountains are dry and rugged

Claims to Oregon In the early 1800’s four countries claimed the Oregon Country The United States Great Britain Spain Russia In 1818 the U.S. and Britain agreed to joint occupation. Spain and Russia withdrew their claims

First Settlers Fur traders Mountain Men: trappers who lived off the land Rugged individualist: people who follow their own course of life Rendezvous: “get together”, the men would meet in July with fur traders After the fur-trade many became guides

Well known Guides Jedediah Smith: led settlers across the Rockies through the South Pass Manuel Lisa: set up Fort Manuel, (first outpost) James Beckworth: escaped slave, found major pass through the Sierra Nevada’s, became major route to California

Permanent Settlers: Missionaries Narcissa and Marcus Whitman: wanted to convert Native Americans to Christianity Worked with Cayuse Indians. Many diseases spread killing many Cayuse children. The Cayuse reacted by killing the Whitmans and 12 others

Oregon Trail: began in Independence, Missouri Many left through May – October, had to reach Oregon before the snow Life was hard. wake up at dawn stop once for a meal many items had to be discarded Many dangers drowning blistering heat snow sickness Between 1840-1860 more than 50,000 settlers reached Oregon. The U.S. wanted sole claim of the land.

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