Early Encounters: Two Worlds Meet Essential Question What brought explorers and settlers to the Pacific Northwest, and how did their arrival affect native cultures?

Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest The Coastal People: –Salish –Chinook –Makah The Coastal people lived in homes of cedar. The basic social unit was the extended family. Wealth was important to social ranking. A wealthy family might own more canoes, tools, weapons, and animal skins. They also had slaves.

Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest The Plateau People Plateau tribes were divided into two main language groups. The Salish-speaking tribes of the northern plateau: –The Spokane, Kalispel, Coeur d’Alene, Colville, Okanagon, Columbia, and Wenatchee Tribes of the southern plateau: –The Nez Perce, Yakama, Palouse, Klickitat, Kittitas, Umatilla, and Wanapum Plateau people lived in pit houses and then in tule houses after the early 1800s. Men and women had defined roles, but there was a great deal of equality between them.

A Changing Way of Life Coastal and Plateau tribes traded with each other. Trade enriched their lives but also spread deadly germs. Horses were brought to Mexico by Spanish explorers and made their way to most Plateau tribes by Horses made traveling, gathering, and hunting much easier. Greed for horses increased the scale of violence.

European Explorers Christopher Columbus was searching for a shorter route to Asia when he discovered America. Juan de Fuca explored the Pacific Coast. Captain James Cook’s crew discovered they could make money trading furs in China. Robert Gray discovered the Columbia River and claimed it for the United States. George Vancouver claimed all the land on both sides of the Columbia River for Great Britain.

Lewis and Clark President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase from France. Jefferson chose Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase. The men and their crew traveled from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. The men kept journals, drew maps, and collected plants. The explorers arrived in St. Louis over two years after they started.

American Fur Traders The first American trading post was established by the Pacific Fur Company. The Pacific Fur Company was a subsidiary of the American Fur Company. Jonathan Thorn sailed with a crew from New York to the Pacific Coast. They ran into many problems sailing into the Columbia River. Thorn and his men made local Indians angry and were killed.

British Fur Traders The Hudson’s Bay Company controlled the fur trade in Canada and in the Oregon Country. Dr. John McLoughlin built Fort Vancouver. Fort Vancouver grew and people came from all over. Ranald MacDonald’s father was a Scottish trader with the HBC and his mother was the daughter of a powerful Chinook chief. Ranald spent a year in Japan teaching English to Japanese youths. Ranald’s Chinook relatives died from diseases while he was away.

Popularity of Furs Trappers and Indians met at forts to trade furs and supplies. The fur in demand was the beaver pelt. The furs were shipped to London, where they were made into felt. The felt was made into hats. By the late 1840s, the fur era was over and beavers had been trapped almost to extinction.

Christian Missionaries Four Indian men asked to learn more about the Christian religion. Methodist missionaries were the first to answer the request. Catholic priests came at the request of members of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Over time, many Indians were baptized Catholic. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman began a Presbyterian mission. The Whitmans adopted the 7 Sager children who lost their parents on the Oregon Trail.

Changes in the Native Culture Many changes were brought when explorers and settlers came to the Pacific Northwest. Some Indians welcomed the change, but many did not.