The Missionary and Pioneer Era Northwest Studies

The Oregon Country The fur trappers and traders referred to the Pacific Northwest as the Oregon Country. The Oregon Country included present day states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Western Montana, and British Columbia in Canada. The fur trade opened up the Oregon Country to the idea of new settlement. People who wanted a fresh start and the promise of owning land began to move west. The idea of Manifest Destiney made Americans believe that it was our divine right to spread civilization from coast to coast. For Missionaries, Civilization meant the spread and conversion of the Native Americans to Christianity

Selling the Oregon Country Settlers had two types of beliefs of Native Americans Indians were primitive savages with little difference from wild animals. They did not have the same rights as “civilized” people. Indians were little children who were naive and simple with little to no education but with education and training could become civilized. Therefore the first white men to move into Oregon country besides the fur trappers and traders were the missionaries. Missionaries were convinced they could move to the Oregon country to civilize these Indian people. There was no unified Christian movement. Beliefs were split based on the sect. The protestants and the Catholics were the two major players competing for the ability to spread Christianity and convert the Indians. Protestants were competing to beat the Catholics which already had a strong presence in California up to the Oregon Country. Missionaries were told that the natives were eager to convert.

First Missionaries Jason and Daniel Lee in 1834 First Missionaries to permanently settle and work with the Indians in the Oregon Country. They establish their settlement in the Willamette River valley near the present day city of Salem, Oregon. They were funded by the Methodist church. To their surprise though the Natives did not want to convert They were willing to listen to their ideas and stories but would not adopt them. The natives were willing to Welcome them and accept learning new skills and trade, but refused to give up their traditional ways. This was a continual source of frustration for the Lee’s

The Whitmans and Spaldings In 1837, Marcus Whitman built his mission at Waiilatpu which is near modern day Walla Walla. This location put them among the Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Umatilla Indians Henry Spalding came with them. And established his mission further east at Lapwai. This location put them near the Nez Perce. Both spent a great amount of time building buildings such as a home, school, blacksmith and church. They too found the Indians unwilling to change from their traditional ways and were proud of their heritage and beliefs.

The Catholics Father Francois Blanchet and Father Modeste Demers were first Catholics in Oregon Country in 1838. They originally came to provide services to trappers and traders from the Hudson’s Bay company. They also began preaching to local Indians. They established great rapport with the Kalispel, Kutenai, Spokane, Colville, and Cayuse Indians. The Catholics allowed the Indians to keep their tribal customs and beliefs. This was in great contrast to the Protestants who were trying to civilize them. Father Pierre Jean DeSmet When he arrived in 1840 he roamed all around the Oregon Country. Starting in Idaho and Montana and eventually making his way throughout the coastal tribes of the Puget Sound. He became very well known and respected among the Indian tribes and even the Blackfeet tribe sought spiritual power and advice. He was the only missionary willing to go near the Blackfeet. While the Catholics also were unable to convert many Indians fully They had a much better reputation with the Indians. Their methods were more willing to accept the Indian traditions and beliefs.

The Great Migration In 1843 the Great Migration occurred. This was the first large group of pioneers to travel the Oregon trail to the Oregon country to live and settle. Between 1843 and 1869 over 500,000 pioneers would move west into the Oregon Country. Oregon Promoters get people to move West The same promoters who convinced the missionaries to move west, begin convincing people because the missionaries went before them the west is now safe and ready for settlement. Most people disregard this promoting, but small groups of interested begin forming groups to prepare to move west.

Great Migration Continued The Panic of 1837 The second reason for increased migration were the economic conditions in the U.S. The economy enter a depression, resulting in mass unemployment, bank failures, and challenging markets for farmers. Many Landowners lost their land due to the bank failures. This combination of unemployment and land foreclosures left many homeless. People begin to think that moving west may be the best idea for a better life. Challenges to Moving West The land of the Oregon Country was free to anyone who could make a living from it. The greatest obstacle to making the move was the fear of the long and challenging journey. In 1937 no practical route existed yet for people to bring all of their belongings and their families on the trip. Also the supplies needed for making the trip would be very expensive.

First White Pioneers Jason Lee has new idea Whitman changes tactics Frustrated by his ability to convert the Indians Jason Lee begins instead to see himself as a pioneer. He makes plans to expand his small settlement to include white families from the east. He returns to the East and begins recruiting pioneers. In 1840 he returns to the Willamette Valley by boat bringing with him 36 men and women and 16 children. This becomes one of the first successful pioneer settlements in the Oregon Country. Whitman changes tactics Like Lee Whitman also was frustrated at the lack of conversion of the Indians. He believes that only by bringing white families to the Oregon Country will he be able to “Christianize” the territory. After returning to St. Louis to convince the church to keep his mission open he encounters 900 pioneers attempting to take a wagon train to the Oregon Country. Whitman offers to guide them as far as his mission. This becomes the first large group to cross what would become known as the Oregon Trail. The success of this party encourages more to do the same.

The Oregon Trail The combination of promotion, economic depression, Christian missionary activity, and the pioneers desire for a safe route west, led to the creation of the Oregon Trail. Between 1842 and 1847 some 5000 people immigrated to the Oregon country via the Oregon trail. Most settled in the Willamette River valley and in areas of the Puget Sound. The arrival of the American pioneers upset the balance of power in the Northwest. Before 1840 the most important white settlements belonged to the British Hudson’s Bay Company. The arrival and creation of the Oregon Trail greatly increases the American presence in the area and strengthened the U.S. claim on the region.

Dispute between British and U.S. over Oregon As more and more settlers moved to the Oregon country, both the U.S. and Britain realized that a definitive decision on control of the region needed to be made. The British hoped to hold on to all territory North of the Columbia River. The U.S. felt that all of the Oregon country belonged to them and advocated that U.S. territory extended all the way up to 54 40’ parallel. When elected in 1844 the new President James Polk used the slogan 54 40’ or fight. Polk began negotiation with the British soon after taking office. Britain had no desire for war with the U.S. over Oregon, but also was no going to accept 54 40’. Treaty of Oregon signed in 1846 setting the 49th parallel as the border between British territory and the U.S. which is the northern border of the State of Washington.

Assignment Page 193, #1-11 Short Answer