Chapter 4Explorers

The First VisitorsProbably came from China or JapanRemains of boats and porcelain found on WA

coastDidn’t stay and make settlements here

Search for the Northwest Passage

Search for the Northwest PassageExplorers were looking for a water route that

would be a shortcut from Europe to Asia.No one ever discovered the route during this time.

It was discovered in 1903, but is not very usable for commercial purposes.

Reasons for searching for it:It took a long time (about 2 years) to travel to Asia

either going around the tip of Africa or South America.

It was a dangerous voyage. Whoever discovered it for Britain would get a cash

prize equal to $1 million today.

Spanish ExplorersJuan de Fuca found the Strait of Juan de Fuca in

1596Didn’t do much land exploration

Had conflicts with IndiansNo large populations of Natives to enslaveMany Spanish suffering from scurvyNo gold & silver along Pacific CoastToo busy with other interests in other placesCoastline was steep and rugged, making it

difficult to settleDidn’t like our weather/climate

Last expedition in this area was in 1775

Spanish Explorers

Strait of Juan de Fuca

British ExplorersJames Cook was

looking for the Northwest Passage.

Made his crews eat sauerkraut, which happened to contain vitamin C and prevented scurvy.

James CookHe traded with Natives on Vancouver Island

for sea otter furs.He was killed in the Sandwich Islands

(Hawaii).After he died, his crew found went to China

and found that the Chinese were very interested paying high prices for furs.

Sea OttersBetween 1750-1790, thousands of sea otters

were killed for their fur. Traded with Chinese for silk, spices, and tea.Used for coats and blankets.1977 sea otter placed on Endangered Species

list.

American ExplorersRobert GrayNavigated the very rough entrance to the

Columbia River & claimed land on both sides for the U.S.

Traded with Chinook Indians for furs.Didn’t do any significant exploration of the

Columbia River because he realized the sea otters he was after were captured in the ocean, not the river.

Navigating the Columbia River

PiratesBetween 1575-

1742 there were at least 25 different pirate ships along the Pacific coast.

Pirates came from England, Holland, & France and were looking for Spanish ships to rob.

Naming the Islands

George Vancouver (British) 1792

Others friends of Vancouver’s were men with names like Baker, Rainier, Whidbey, & Puget

Vancouver Island

Columbia River

Lewis & Clark 1804-1806Set out to explore the Louisiana Territory, which

President Thomas Jefferson bought from France in 1803 for $15 million.

Were looking for the Northwest Passage and to learn about the land, plants, animals and Native people.

Took 28 people with them, including one slave.Started in St. Louis, Missouri on May 14, 1804

and traveled up the Missouri River.Spent the first winter in North Dakota with the

Mandan Indians.

Lewis & Clark 1804-1806Sacajawea (16 years old) and her husband

Charbonneau helped to guide them. She carried her baby on her back the whole trip!

Got horses to help them cross the mountains.Nez Perce Indians helped them build dug out

canoes.Reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805.Had hoped to meet a ship to take them back

around to the East, but none came.Build a shelter on the south side of the

Columbia River called Fort Clatsop to spend the winter.

Lewis & Clark 1804-1806Sacajawea (16 years old) and her husband

Charbonneau helped to guide them. She carried her baby on her back the whole trip!

Got horses to help them cross the mountains.Nez Perce Indians helped them build dug out

canoes.Reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805.Had hoped to meet a ship to take them back

around to the East, but none came.Build a shelter on the south side of the

Columbia River called Fort Clatsop to spend the winter.

Lewis & Clark 1804-1806March 23, 1806 they start the return trip

home.They reach St. Louis on September 23, 1806.Many people thought they had died.They are treated as national heroes!

Lewis & Clark 1804-1806

American Fur TradersPacific Fur CompanyBuilt Fort Astoria near the mouth of the

ColumbiaWar of 1812

Gave both Britain and the U.S. ownership of the Oregon Territory.

Established the 49th parallel as the border between U.S. and Canada

British Fur TradersCanadians explored British Columbia two

years before Lewis & Clark.Hudson’s Bay CompanyBuilt new fort near mouth of Willamette River

called Fort Vancouver.Main business of forts was trading for furs. Beaver fur was very popular and used for

hats. Beavers were almost hunted to extinction.

Fur Trade EndsBy late 1840’s the fur trading era was over. Fur-bearing animals were nearly gone. Styles had changed.Pioneers were moving into the area.

Chinook JargonA trade language used by Native Americans

and white fur traders and settlers.Could also be used for one group of Indians

to talk to another because they had different tribal languages.

Had about 300 words.