Statehood Timeline

1792  Nootka Sound Controversy –John Meares from Great Britain challenges Spain’s exclusive rights to explore the Pacific Northwest. By 1794 Spain gives up its exclusive rights. This opens the PNW to other countries for exportation.

1803  Louisiana Purchase –U.S. President Thomas Jefferson purchases all lands west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains from France for $15 million

 Lewis and Clark Expedition –Lewis and Clark are appointed by Thomas Jefferson to lead the Corps of Discovery. This group is to explore the Louisiana Purchase to find resources, make friends with Native Americans, and scientifically document plants and animals.

1812  War of 1812 –U.S. and Great Britain go to war.

1813  Fort Astoria becomes Fort George –Pacific Fur Company (U.S.) sells the Northwest Fur Company (Great Britain) during war.

1815  Treaty of Ghent –Ends the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the U.S. The two countries begin to discuss boundaries between what is now Canada and the U.S.

1817  Rush-Bagot Agreement –Ownership of the Great Lakes is established. Canada and the U.S. will share all the lakes except Lake Michigan, which will be owned by the U.S.

1818  Convention of 1818 –Sets some boundaries between British and U.S. Territory. Established Joint Occupation where the two countries will share and explore Oregon Country.

1819  Adams-Onis (or Ones) Treaty –Spain gives up claim to the Pacific Northwest and moves south of the 42 nd Parallel (now the Oregon/California border).

1821  Russia moves all land claims north of the 51 st Parallel.

1823  Monroe Doctrine –President Monroe states that Europe can no longer make new claims to lands in the Western Hemisphere.

1824  Russia withdraws. –Russia gives up claims to 54/40 North. In 1867, Russia sells Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million.

1828  Joint Occupation –From the Convention of 1818, the U.S. and Great Britain renews Joint Occupation indefinitely.

1846  Treaty of Oregon –US/British (Canadian) border is established at the 49 th Parallel, ending Joint Occupation.

1859  Pig War –The San Juan Islands are still not claimed. When a U.S. farmer shoots a British pig, the U.S. and Great Britain have a dispute over who should control the islands.

1872  San Juan Islands. –The San Juan Islands become part of the U.S. Haro Strait becomes the western boundary between the U.S. and Canada.

1889  Washington becomes a State.