Khaberni - After its independence, the United States, which initially had its 13 states primarily along the Eastern coastal strip of the American continent, aimed to expand westward in hopes of reaching the Pacific Ocean.
In 1803, the Americans signed an agreement with Napoleon Bonaparte whereby they acquired French Louisiana which was estimated to be about 2.15 million square kilometers in area.
In 1819, they acquired Florida following the Adams-Onís Treaty with Spain. Then, by 1846, despite being preoccupied with the war against Mexico, they struck another deal with the British which enabled them to expand further westward.
Joint Management
The territory of the Oregon Country, which ceased to exist in 1846, covered what is now known as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming. In the Canadian side, it included vast areas of British Columbia and part of southern Yukon (Yukon).
During the 19th century, the Oregon territory was jointly administered by the British and Americans. However, managing it was difficult due to its size and its distance from both Washington and London.
Additionally, due to the sparse number of inhabitants, the Oregon Country had no definitive borders separating the British and American territories. Throughout the preceding centuries, Spanish, British, French, and American explorers were unable to determine any boundaries for this area, nor did any country succeed in exerting its full control over it.
By the end of the American-British War that erupted in 1812, the atmosphere was tense between London and Washington. Then in 1818, as a temporary measure to avoid a conflict, the Americans and British agreed on joint management of the Oregon Country.
Importance of Oregon
Over the following decades, the reality of Oregon Country crystallized for both parties. For the British, these regions were under the dominance of the Hudson's Bay Company which used them primarily for fur trade despite the small population. Therefore, economically, the region was valuable only to the British.
On the other hand, American presence in the area significantly increased as a large number of settlers, especially farmers, permanently settled there. Moreover, Washington regarded Oregon Country as essential for achieving its historical ambition to reach the Pacific Ocean.
The 1846 Treaty
The situation in Oregon Country led to tension between Washington and London, as each demanded control over the region. Fearing the possibility of a war, they agreed to negotiate the future of the territory.
On June 15, 1846, they concluded what became known as the "Oregon Treaty." Under this, the 49th parallel north was established as the boundary line between the American and British sections of the territory. While Britain obtained the northern part, the United States acquired the southern part. In addition to acquiring Vancouver Island, the British were allowed to navigate the Columbia River concurrently while the Hudson's Bay Company maintained its rights.
This treaty helped prevent an outbreak of an American-British war in the region and aided in establishing final boundaries between the British and American territories.
In the years that followed, the American Oregon territory gave rise to the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, including parts of Montana and Wyoming from the former territory. On the British side, lands from this former territory later became British Columbia, which was subsequently incorporated into Canada.
