1. Oregon Country Oregon Country- area west of the Rocky Mountains
1. Coastal areas have fertile soil and mild temperatures
2. inland had dense forests and many animals
3. Areas between the mountains are dry and rugged

2. Claims to Oregon
In the early 1800’s four countries claimed the Oregon Country
The United States
Great Britain
Spain
Russia
In 1818 the U.S. and Britain agreed to joint occupation. Spain and Russia withdrew their claims

3. First Settlers Fur traders
Mountain Men: trappers who lived off the land
Rugged individualist: people who follow their own course of life
Rendezvous: “get together”, the men would meet in July with fur traders
After the fur-trade many became guides

4. Well known Guides
Jedediah Smith: led settlers across the Rockies through the South Pass
Manuel Lisa: set up Fort Manuel, (first outpost)
James Beckworth: escaped slave, found major pass through the Sierra Nevada’s, became major route to California

5. Permanent Settlers: Missionaries
Narcissa and Marcus Whitman: wanted to convert Native Americans to Christianity
Worked with Cayuse Indians. Many diseases spread killing many Cayuse children. The Cayuse reacted by killing the Whitmans and 12 others

6. Oregon Trail: began in Independence, Missouri
Many left through May – October, had to reach Oregon before the snow
Life was hard.
wake up at dawn
stop once for a meal
many items had to be discarded
Many dangers
drowning
blistering heat
snow
sickness
Between more than 50,000 settlers reached Oregon. The U.S. wanted sole claim of the land.