Statehood Timeline

1792

Nootka Sound Controversy– John Meares from Great Britain challenges

Spain’s exclusive rights to explore the Pacific Northwest. By 1794 Spain gives up its exclusive rights. This opens the PNW to other countries for exportation.

1803

Louisiana Purchase– U.S. President Thomas Jefferson purchases all

lands west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains from France for $15 million

1804-1806

Lewis and Clark Expedition– Lewis and Clark are appointed by Thomas

Jefferson to lead the Corps of Discovery. This group is to explore the Louisiana Purchase to find resources, make friends with Native Americans, and scientifically document plants and animals.

1812

War of 1812– U.S. and Great Britain go to war.

1813

Fort Astoria becomes Fort George– Pacific Fur Company (U.S.) sells the Northwest

Fur Company (Great Britain) during war.

1815

Treaty of Ghent– Ends the War of 1812 between Great Britain

and the U.S. The two countries begin to discuss boundaries between what is now Canada and the U.S.

1817

Rush-Bagot Agreement– Ownership of the Great Lakes is established.

Canada and the U.S. will share all the lakes except Lake Michigan, which will be owned by the U.S.

1818

Convention of 1818– Sets some boundaries between British and U.S.

Territory. Established Joint Occupation where the two countries will share and explore Oregon Country.

1819

Adams-Onis (or Ones) Treaty– Spain gives up claim to the Pacific Northwest

and moves south of the 42nd Parallel (now the Oregon/California border).

1821

Russia moves all land claims north of the 51st Parallel.

1823

Monroe Doctrine– President Monroe states that Europe can no

longer make new claims to lands in the Western Hemisphere.

1824

Russia withdraws.– Russia gives up claims to 54/40 North. In 1867,

Russia sells Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million.

1828

Joint Occupation– From the Convention of 1818, the U.S. and

Great Britain renews Joint Occupation indefinitely.

1846

Treaty of Oregon– US/British (Canadian) border is established at

the 49th Parallel, ending Joint Occupation.

1859

Pig War– The San Juan Islands are still not claimed.

When a U.S. farmer shoots a British pig, the U.S. and Great Britain have a dispute over who should control the islands.

1872

San Juan Islands.– The San Juan Islands become part of the U.S.

Haro Strait becomes the western boundary between the U.S. and Canada.

1889

Washington becomes a State.