“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.