Oregon CountryOregon Country

Lure of OregonLure of Oregon

American’s claim to Oregon was American’s claim to Oregon was based on the Lewis and Clark based on the Lewis and Clark expedition.expedition.

Oregon attracted farmers and Oregon attracted farmers and trappers because…trappers because…

Fertile soil/Fur AnimalsFertile soil/Fur Animals

Full forestsFull forests

Mild temperature/Plentiful rainfallMild temperature/Plentiful rainfall

Fur Trappers in the WestFur Trappers in the West

The first people to travel to Oregon Country The first people to travel to Oregon Country were the fur traders.were the fur traders.

The first settlers were the Mountain Men The first settlers were the Mountain Men who trapped animals and lived off the land.who trapped animals and lived off the land.

Mountain Men would make small fortunes Mountain Men would make small fortunes from furs they traded with Asia and Europe.from furs they traded with Asia and Europe.

By 1830s the fur trade began to shrink By 1830s the fur trade began to shrink because to many animals were killed.because to many animals were killed.

Mountain Man

A typical fur trader

Beaver Pelts

Missionaries in OregonMissionaries in Oregon

Settlers began to set up Settlers began to set up Missionaries in Oregon to Missionaries in Oregon to convert Natives to Christianity.convert Natives to Christianity.

Instead many natives died from Instead many natives died from European disease.European disease.

Wagon Trains WestWagon Trains West

Many farmers were attracted to the Many farmers were attracted to the Western lands because they heard Western lands because they heard the land was fertile.the land was fertile.

Many travelers form wagon trains Many travelers form wagon trains and followed a route called the and followed a route called the Oregon TrailOregon Trail..

The wagon trains traveled 2,000 The wagon trains traveled 2,000 miles on foot, which took over 5 miles on foot, which took over 5 months.months.

Conestoga Wagon

Donner Pass&

Cannibalism

Wagon Trains WestWagon Trains West

Wagoner's faced many dangers Wagoner's faced many dangers such as:such as:

Heavy Rains –Heat-Snow stormsHeavy Rains –Heat-Snow storms

The largest threat to Wagoner's The largest threat to Wagoner's was disease do to close living was disease do to close living quarters.quarters.

Malaria-Cholera-Lice-Scurvy-ScabiesMalaria-Cholera-Lice-Scurvy-Scabies

Cholera

Malaria

Competing ClaimsCompeting Claims

Four Countries claimed Oregon.Four Countries claimed Oregon.

U.S, Great Britain, Russia, and SpainU.S, Great Britain, Russia, and Spain

Natives occupied the land for years, Natives occupied the land for years, but had no say.but had no say.

Since Great Britain and U.S. had the Since Great Britain and U.S. had the most settlers living in the territory most settlers living in the territory Spain and Russia gave up claims.Spain and Russia gave up claims.

James K. Polk became President in James K. Polk became President in 1844 and promised the U.S. would 1844 and promised the U.S. would annex all of Oregon Country.annex all of Oregon Country.

Polk wanted to avoid war with Britain Polk wanted to avoid war with Britain and compromised on a treaty.and compromised on a treaty.

Both countries would cut Oregon in Both countries would cut Oregon in ½ and used the 49½ and used the 49thth Parallel Parallel (Latitude) to divide the land.(Latitude) to divide the land.