pacific coast in the early 1800’s. a. disputes over the territory of the pacific coast (oregon...
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A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
1. Unsettled disputes of the treaty following the War of 1812
A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
Set the 49th parallel of latitude as the Canadian - U.S. border
Covered territory only as far west as the Rocky Mountains
Beyond the Rockies, both Britain and the U.S. continued to claim territory lying north of California
Other territory was left open to settlement
1. Unsettled disputes of the treaty following the War of 1812
A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
2. Disputes between fur trading companies
A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
U.S. companies established posts along the Columbia River as early as 1808
By 1821, the H.B.Co. controlled the area and discouraged settlement that they thought would interfere with fur trading
However, the U.S. and American fur traders encouraged U.S. settlers to move into the area
Most of this settlement was around Fort Astoria These settlers wanted the US to annex the Pacific Northwest
This settlement allowed the U.S. to establish a claim to the Pacific Coast
2. Disputes between fur trading companies
A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
Fort Vancouver (on the Columbia River)
Built to counter the American presence The Centre of the British fight against American
expansion Fort Vancouver was the H.B.C headquarters in
the region The Columbia River was the main access route
to the interior H.B.Co. encouraged British settlement to
provide supplies to fur traders and offset American colonization
A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
A. Disputes over the territory of the Pacific Coast (Oregon Territory)
George Simpson takes action 1827, Fort Langley built to counter
American expansion Ordered the building of trading posts on
the Pacific coast south of Alaska to compete with American fur trading ships
B. Disputes over the territory North & South of 54 40’
Divided the coast into trading areas Russian fur-trading area – south limit to 54 40’
north British - U.S. fur trading area - south of 54 40’ British had not taken part in treaty negotiations
and did not recognize the treaty and did not recognize the treaty
B. Disputes over the territory North & South of 54 40’
James Polk, U.S. President
Campaigned for election in 1844 to claim territory up to Alaska for the U.S. - by war if necessary
Campaign slogan was “54 40’ or fight
B. Disputes over the territory North & South of 54 40’
Oregon Boundary Treaty cont…
Following Polk’s election, negotiations started to set a boundary between British and American territories in the North-West
Britain wanted the boundary at the Columbia river
Treaty set the boundary at the 49th parallel and gave all of Vancouver Island to Britain
C. Fort Victoria
George Simpson suspected that the lands, along the Columbia would later become part of U.S.
James Douglas selected the site for the new fort
D. Creation of Vancouver Island Colony
Fort Victoria the Capital Purpose was to defend British claim to
the region Royal charter required the H.B.Co. to
actively encourage settlement on island In return company received a trade
monopoly on the island