A.What Brought the Europeans to the New World 1. As Europe’s economy expanded during the later part of the Middle Ages, country’s like Spain, England, Portugal and France started looking for a way to get to Asia by bypassing the Middle East. 2. In 1492 Columbus convinced Spain to finance him in an effort to go west across the Atlantic to Asia. Columbus believed: a. The world was 8000 miles less then it actually was. b. Going west was shorter then going any other way. c. It was all water between Europe and Asia going west. 3. Once it was realized that Columbus had found a New continent, then the explorers came looking for gold and a water route through North America to Asia. 4. An all water route was known as the Northwest Passage

B.Exploring the Pacific Northwest 1. The Japanese or Chinese were the first explorers the Pacific Northwest. Some trace it back to 291 B.C. (Page 9 Historical Atlas of the PNW) 2. When Balboa crossed Panama and realized this was a new continent, the race was on to explore and claim. 3. Sir Francis Drake is considered the 1 st European to have visited the PNW. (page 11 Historical Atlas of the PNW)

Marco Polo’s two Mythical Kingdoms The map combines the fantasies with the geographical knowledge of the day. Lost city of Gold

4. In 1774 Juan Perez anchored off the coast of Vancouver Island and traded with the local Natives. He said they were naked He said the Natives were white and fair.

1.He arrived in the Pacific NW in 1778 after discovering the Hawaiian Islands. 2. He reached the Oregon Coast naming Cape Foulweather. 3. He also named Cape Flattery because it “Flattered us with the hopes of finding a harbor.” (read p. 47 Historical Atlas)

6. Cook’s third voyage set in motion the fur trade. a. His ship traded with the natives for sea otter pelts so they could keep warm. b. When his ships reached Canton they found the sea otter had great value. 7. This started the Fur trading period in the Pacific NW. (read page 59 Historical Atlas of the PNW) 8. It was John Meares who named Mt. Olympus

1.As of 1789 Spain – because they were the first to reach the Pacific, Britain – because of James Cook, and Russia – because of its claims north of 54’40’’ all had some claim to the Pacific Northwest. 2. Russia will soon determine to stay with its claims in Alaska 3. Spain attempted to assert control over the Northwest in 1789 which nearly led to war with Britain. 4. One of John Mears ships was seized by the Spanish in Nootka Sound for “illegal trading”.

5. To avoid war Britain and Spain agreed to meet at Nootka. a. George Vancouver represented Britain. b. Bodega Quadra represented Spain. 6. Little was settled except naming the island for Vancouver (Do you think this might have given Britain more claim?) 7. Because of wars in Europe, Spain decided to pull back and stay in California. 8. Britain and soon the United States will be the only ones left to claim the Oregon Territory. (What area was considered the Oregon Territory?)

Montana Washington Oregon Idaho British Columbia

1.After the meeting at Nootka with Spain, Vancouver proceeded to explore the area looking for the “Great Western River” 2. Not realizing Cape Disappointment was the entrance to the ‘Great Western River’ Vancouver continued north crossing paths with Robert Gray and his ship the Columbia days later Gray entered the mouth of the ‘Great Western River’ naming it the Columbia River and claming all the interior for the U.S. 4. Vancouver entered the Strait of Juan de Fuca and named the following: Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Point Roberts, Whidbey Island, Bellingham Bay, and the Strait of Georgia.

1.In 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from the French. 2. Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to not only survey the Louisiana Territory but also continue on to the Pacific Ocean and claim the Oregon Territory for the U.S. Read Alistair Cooke’s America page 166

Korea 120,540 Sq. Km Louisiana Territory2,143,692 Sq. miles China9, 596,969 Sq. Km Thailand 514,000 Sq. Km Taiwan35,980 Sq. Km

1.There was no Northwest Passage 2.The area was mapped for later settlements 3.It opened the area for the fur traders 4.The Rush-Bagot Agreement allowed for the Co- ownership of the Oregon Territory between the U.S. and Britain with no military in the area.