BRITISH COLUMBIA TO 1896

INTRODUCTION  From 1820’s – BC is a territory controlled by the HBC  Two fantastic Gold Rushes  Creation of the first Legislative Assembly  1871 – entry of BC into confederation  To the 1880’s – Vancouver becomes the last stop on the CPR  Immigration from numerous countries world-wide (USA, Britain, Asia)  Came to work, settled permanently and created the diverse culture we have inherited today

THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST  The last place in North America to be settled by Europeans  Home to more than 25 different Aboriginal groups  Dazzling landscape: rivers, mountains covered with fir, spruce, red cedar standing 60m tall and meters wide  Abundance of fur bearing-animals

FUR TRADE  Russians the first to reach the Northwest coast in 1741  Russians immediately launched a successful trade in Sea Otter fur  Ships from Spain, Britain, and the USA soon followed and trade in seal and sea otter flourished  Intense rivalry between Britain and the USA ensues

OREGON TERRITORY  1826 – HBC sends George Simpson to govern New Caledonia and Columbia (future British Columbia)  Russia claimed the coast as far South as N. Vancouver Island  The 49 th parallel drew a firm boundary between USA and British North America; but the boundary ended at the eastern slope of the Rockies  USA claimed Oregon Territory as far north as 54’40  British North America claimed as far south as 42’

OREGON TERRITORY CON’T  HBC had no interest in encouraging settlement  It could disrupt a lucrative fur trade and undermine the companies trade monopoly in the area  America’s population was growing rapidly  America pursued an aggressive policy towards the Oregon Territory and encouraged settlement

HBC GEORGE SIMPSON

HBC’S GEORGE SIMPSON  Established forts in the Oregon Territory (see map p.209)  Fort Vancouver on the Northern bank of Columbia River.  1827 Ft Langley on the Fraser River  Open trade in the Fraser Valley and expand trading networks with native peoples  Area was rich in furs and dwindling fur stocks becoming a real problem

HBC’S JOHN MCLOUGHLIN

JOHN MCLOUGHLIN  Appointed chief factor at Ft. Vancouver by Simpson  Political realist, recognized American’s would settle the region South of the Columbia River  To reduce competition with the HBC he encourages them to do so and stay out of region North of the River  Offers them money and supplies to Americans even though he is only supposed to help HBC employees  His plan led to a strong American presence in the Oregon Territory.

RUSSIANS  Russians had established a number of fur-trading posts in Alaska and along the northern Northwest Coast  1839 HBC and Russians agree that the Russians will cease operations south of 54’40’ N  In exchange HBC would supply Russian posts in Alaska with food  HBC steamboat the Beaver (1835) supplied these posts, was a mobile trading post with the Northwest coast peoples and added to British presence in the area

SIMPSON VS. MCLOUGHLIN