“ horizons ”
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Chapter 6 British Columbia to 1896. “ Horizons ”. Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896 “ The Oregon Territory ”. Russia first to reach Northwest coast Both U.S. and Britain also wanted the Oregon Territory HBC - wanted to continue fur trade U.S. - “ Manifest Destiny ” - settlement a priority - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
“Horizons”
Chapter 6British Columbia to 1896
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• Russia first to reach Northwest coast
• Both U.S. and Britain also wanted the Oregon Territory
• HBC - wanted to continue fur trade
• U.S. - “Manifest Destiny” - settlement a priority
• 1830’s - American settlers travelled along Oregon Trail
Oregon Territory
Manifest Destiny
• In the United States in the 19th century, Manifest Destiny was the widely held belief that American settlers were destined to expand across the continent.
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• Oregon Trail: only means to settle the west
• Extremely difficult & dangerous journey
• 1 in 10 settlers died along the way - some walked 2000 miles barefoot
• Death often occurred due to cholera, poor sanitation & accidental gunshots
• Contrary to popular belief, most native tribes helpful to settlers
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• Oregon Trail: between 1843-1868, half a million settlers travelled west on the trail
• Strange but true facts:• Many cholera victims were
buried alive, because the wagon party was in a hurry (Donner Party)
• A cow that accidentally wandered into a Sioux camp ignited a conflict that led to the death of many Sioux warriors & U.S. soldiers
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• George Simpson - became governor of HBC in 1826 - biggest challenge was New Caledonia/Columbia territory
• Russia, United States both interested in area
• Simpson toured forts in Oregon territory - decided to establish a new post, Fort Vancouver
• Chief Factor - John McLoughlin• Simpson ordered HBC
employees to open up trade in Fraser Valley, expand networks in native peoples
• 1827 - established Fort Langley
Fort Langley
Fort Langley
• Never a successful fur trading post
• Traded in salmon in exchange for European goods
• Salmon often went as ship food to resupply ships in Hawaii
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• McLoughlin - fair & generous administrator, political realist
• Arrested for murder of Robert Semple (Battle of 7 Oaks) - acquitted in 1818
• Encouraged Americans to stay out of HBC territory - offered money & supplies to American settlers
• Strong American presence in Oregon Territory by 1830’s
• Russia: had fur-trade posts in Alaska, threatened to expand into Pacific Northwest
• 1839 - agreement with HBC not to trade further south - HBC would supply Russian posts with food
John McLoughlin
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• 1841 - Simpson toured area - not satisfied with fur trade - closed all coastal posts except Fort Simpson, designated HBC steamship Beaver as a ‘floating’ fur-trade post
• McLoughlin furious• Situation worsened when
McLoughlin’s son was killed in a brawl
• Simpson recommended charge of ‘justifiable homicide’
• McLoughlin developed hatred for both Simpson & HBC
• Encouraged all settlers to move north of the Columbia River (U.S.)
“Beaver” - HBC steamship
McLoughlin’s Lega
• McLoughlin retired from HBC in 1845
• Known as “Father of Oregon”, due to his kindness to American settlers
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Oregon Territory”
• Simpson worried that U.S. would take over territory
• Ordered Chief Factor James Douglas to establish new depot on Vancouver Island
• 1843 - Fort Victoria
James Douglas
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Colony of Vancouver Island to
1858”• 1840’s - U.S. wanted to expand
past 54° 40’ (Oregon Territory)• 1845 - President James Polk tried
to negotiate with Britain• Both sides agreed to extend
border along the 49th parallel to Pacific Ocean
• Vancouver Island remained British• Fort Vancouver became U.S.• 1848: British government
created the crown colony of Vancouver Island - HBC retained trade monopoly
• New governor James Douglas• Actively encouraged British
settlement
Vancouver Island
Purchasing Land on Van. Is.
• Recreating the English Class System• £1 an acre with a minimum of 20 acres
– Current exchange rate (£1 = $1.55 CDN)• If more than 100 acres were purchased – must
have 5 people to work the land• few settlers became land owners due to this
system• most inhabitants were ex-HBC employees who
bought up the valuable farm land
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Colony of Vancouver Island to
1858”• 1856 - Douglas created Legislative
Assembly - 7 elected representatives
• Only property owners could vote - 40/450 citizens
• Assembly could pass resolutions, but couldn’t enforce them - Douglas had final authority
• Douglas also had to negotiate treaties with aboriginal peoples - approx. 30,000 living on island
• They would surrender land to Europeans, but would retain hunting and fishing rights
• Annual compensation to families each year
• Douglas seemed to be ‘leasing’ land from aboriginal people - confirms their title?
• Only treaties of this nature negotiated in B.C. in 19th centurySir James Douglas
Chapter 6 - B.C. to 1896“The Colony of Vancouver Island to
1858”• English class system
established - hierarchy• 1840’s - coal discovered near
Nanaimo, diversified economy• Supplied Royal Navy, based out
of Esquimalt harbour (still a base today)
• Royal Navy played huge role in Fort Victoria society - officers invited to parties given by English landowners
• Douglas married to Amelia Douglas, a Metis - not impressed with new ‘upper class’
• She had 13 babies (7 died as infants)
Lady Amelia Douglas
Assignment • In an organizer, compare and contrast American and
British attitudes towards the Oregon Territory. /3• Why did the British Government put restrictions on
land purchasing?/2• What did the early government of Victoria have in
common with Upper and Lower Canada before confederation? /2
• Due at the end of the class.