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 49th 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