Outline of Oregon territorial evolution facts for kids
Map Key
U.S. state U.S. territory Claimed by other countries Disputed
This article tells the story of how the land that is now the U.S. state of Oregon changed over time. It explores the different countries and governments that claimed or controlled parts of this area, leading up to Oregon becoming a state. This journey of changing borders and ownership is called territorial evolution.
Contents
Oregon's Journey to Statehood
Early Claims by Spain
Long before it was part of the United States, parts of what is now Oregon were claimed by Spain. These claims were part of larger Spanish territories in North America.
- Nueva California (1768–1804): This was a large Spanish territory that included parts of present-day Oregon.
- Gran Cuenca (1776–1821): Another Spanish claim, this area covered a vast region, including some of Oregon.
- Alta California (1804–1821): This was a later Spanish province that also extended into Oregon.
These Spanish claims officially ended with the Adams–Onís Treaty in 1819. This agreement settled the border between the United States and Spanish territories.
The Oregon Country Era
After Spain gave up its claims, the area became known as the Oregon Country. This vast territory was claimed by both the United States and Great Britain.
- Shared Control (1818–1846):
* The Anglo-American Convention of 1818 allowed both the United States and Great Britain to share control of the Oregon Country. This meant people from both countries could settle there. * During this time, settlers in the region formed an unofficial government called the Provisional Government of Oregon (1843–1849). This government helped manage daily life before the U.S. took full control. * The shared control ended with the Oregon Treaty of 1846. This treaty officially divided the Oregon Country between the United States and Great Britain, setting the modern border with Canada.
Becoming a U.S. Territory
Once the border was settled, the United States began to organize the Oregon Country.
- Unorganized Territory (1846–1848):
* After the Oregon Treaty in 1846, the land became an unorganized territory of the United States. This meant it was U.S. land but didn't yet have a formal government structure.
- Territory of Oregon (1848–1859):
* On August 14, 1848, the U.S. Congress passed the Oregon Organic Act. This act officially created the Oregon Territory, establishing a formal U.S. government for the area. * In 1853, the northern part of the Oregon Territory was separated to form the new Washington Territory. This reduced the size of the Oregon Territory.
- State of Deseret (1849–1850):
* For a short time, an unofficial state called the State of Deseret was proposed by Mormon pioneers. This proposed state included parts of the Oregon Territory, but it was never officially recognized by the U.S. government.
Oregon Becomes a State
The final step in Oregon's territorial evolution was becoming a state.
- State of Oregon (since 1859):
* On February 14, 1859, the Oregon Statehood Act was passed. This officially made Oregon the 33rd U.S. state. * When Oregon became a state, its eastern portion was transferred to the Washington Territory. This finalized the borders of the new state.
