Oregon Country

1. Oregon Country

2. Lure of Oregon • American’s claim to Oregon was based on the Lewis and Clark expedition. • Oregon attracted farmers and trappers because… • Fertile soil/Fur Animals • Full forests • Mild temperature/Plentiful rainfall

4. Fur Trappers in the West • The first people to travel to Oregon Country were the fur traders. • The first settlers were the Mountain Men who trapped animals and lived off the land. • Mountain Men would make small fortunes from furs they traded with Asia and Europe. • By 1830s the fur trade began to shrink because to many animals were killed.

5. Beaver Pelts Mountain Man A typical fur trader

6. Missionaries in Oregon • Settlers began to set up Missionaries in Oregon to convert Natives to Christianity. • Instead many natives died from European disease.

7. Wagon Trains West • Many farmers were attracted to the Western lands because they heard the land was fertile. • Many travelers form wagon trains and followed a route called the Oregon Trail. • The wagon trains traveled 2,000 miles on foot, which took over 5 months.

8. Conestoga Wagon Donner Pass & Cannibalism

9. Wagon Trains West • Wagoner's faced many dangers such as: Heavy Rains –Heat-Snow storms • The largest threat to Wagoner's was disease do to close living quarters. Malaria-Cholera-Lice-Scurvy-Scabies

10. Cholera Malaria

11. Competing Claims • Four Countries claimed Oregon. • U.S, Great Britain, Russia, and Spain • Natives occupied the land for years, but had no say. • Since Great Britain and U.S. had the most settlers living in the territory Spain and Russia gave up claims.

12. James K. Polk became President in 1844 and promised the U.S. would annex all of Oregon Country. • Polk wanted to avoid war with Britain and compromised on a treaty. • Both countries would cut Oregon in ½ and used the 49th Parallel (Latitude) to divide the land.