Oregon Country
Oregon Country and Conflicts
In the Northwest of present-day United States is a vast area known as Oregon Country. This land was tree-covered wilderness. Oregon Country was from the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean. It reached north until Alaska and south until Spanish California. At first, there were four countries that placed claims on Oregon (Spain, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States). Spain dropped out of the race due to the treaty to purchase Florida. Russia also dropped out because they agreed to lay their claim around the southern border of present-day Alaska. Great Britain and the U.S. decided to a peaceful "settlement split" of Oregon. Part of Oregon was discovered when Lewis and Clark set a trail through their expedition across the Continent. Although this was a path to Oregon, a young fur trapper named Jedediah Smith found a path to Oregon that ordinary settlers could travel called "South Pass". The new fortunes in the northwest were soon to be found. At first, missionaries traveled to Oregon. They didn't make a lot of converts, but they did attract many settlers to Oregon. The early settlers claimed the weather was always nice, there were an abundance of trees, and farm land everywhere. There were many reports that described Oregon as a "pioneer's paradise" and this attracted a lot of new settlers. Polk also used Oregon Country to influence his presidential campaign. He promised he would not stop until he had added all of Oregon Country to the United States. Polk didn't want to risk war with Great Britain, so the U.S. and Great Britain agreed on a treaty that would split Oregon in about half. This created the border between present-day United States and Canada. There was a furious debate over Oregon treaty. Some in the east viewed Oregon Country as pointless land while settlers on the west wanted all of Oregon Country. Great Britain and America found a compromise where both could be happy. In 1846, the Senate ratified the compromise treaty. These are the conflicts that arose and how the U.S. resolved them.
Quick Summary:
Who: United States and Great Britain
What: Land dispute over Oregon Country
When: 1819-146
Where: Oregon
Why: Settlers in the west claimed Oregon Country was great land for settling
How: Great Britain and the United States were able to agree on a compromise treaty
Quick Summary:
Who: United States and Great Britain
What: Land dispute over Oregon Country
When: 1819-146
Where: Oregon
Why: Settlers in the west claimed Oregon Country was great land for settling
How: Great Britain and the United States were able to agree on a compromise treaty