How Oregon Became a State
Oregon is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, bordered by Washington, Idaho, California, and Nevada. It is home to a diverse landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, and beaches, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Oregon is also known for its progressive politics and vibrant culture, making it a unique and exciting place to live. With its rich history and vibrant culture, it is no surprise that Oregon has become an important part of the United States.
Pre-Statehood
Early Exploration
The first Europeans to explore Oregon were Spanish explorers led by Bruno de Hezeta in 1775. Hezeta and his crew sailed up the Columbia River, and were the first Europeans to make contact with the Native American tribes living in the area. Hezeta's expedition was followed by other Spanish expeditions, and in 1792, British explorer George Vancouver sailed up the Columbia River and mapped the Oregon coast.
Oregon Country
In 1818, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of 1818, which established a joint occupation of the Oregon Country. This agreement allowed citizens of both countries to settle in the region, and the area soon became a popular destination for American settlers. The Oregon Trail, a 2,000-mile-long wagon route, was established in 1841, and over the next decade, thousands of settlers used the trail to travel to Oregon. The influx of settlers led to the formation of the Oregon Provisional Government in 1843, which was the first government in the region. The Oregon Provisional Government was responsible for creating laws, establishing courts, and setting up a militia to protect the settlers. In 1848, the Oregon Territory was established, and in 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.
Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
Creation of Oregon Territory
The Oregon Territory was created in 1848 by an act of Congress. The Oregon Territory included the present-day states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Wyoming and Montana. The Oregon Territory was created to provide a place for settlers to move west and to help the United States government manage the land. The Oregon Territory was also created to help the United States government gain control of the Oregon Country, which had been disputed between the United States and Great Britain.
The Oregon Territory was created with the signing of the Oregon Treaty of 1846, which ended the Oregon boundary dispute between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty established the 49th parallel as the boundary between the United States and Canada, and the Columbia River as the boundary between the United States and the Oregon Country.
Territorial Government
The Oregon Territory was initially governed by the Oregon Provisional Government, which was established in 1843. The Provisional Government was composed of a governor, three judges, and a legislative assembly. The Provisional Government was responsible for organizing the Oregon Territory, creating laws, and providing services to the settlers.
In 1849, the United States Congress passed the Organic Act, which established the Oregon Territory as an official United States territory. The Organic Act provided for the establishment of a territorial government, which was to be composed of a governor, three judges, and a legislative assembly. The territorial government was responsible for administering the laws of the Oregon Territory and providing services to the settlers.
The Oregon Territorial Legislature was responsible for creating laws and regulations for the Oregon Territory. The legislature was composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate, and the members of the legislature were elected by the citizens of the Oregon Territory. The legislature was responsible for creating laws that would govern the Oregon Territory, including laws related to education, taxation, and public safety.
Statehood
Statehood
Oregon was ready to become a state in 1857 when the Oregon Constitution was drafted. This document was the result of a convention of Oregon settlers who had gathered to discuss the future of the territory. The Oregon Constitution was modeled after the United States Constitution and included a bill of rights, a legislative branch, and an executive branch. It also included a clause that prohibited slavery in Oregon, which was a major point of contention between the settlers of the North and South. The Oregon Constitution was approved by the people of Oregon in 1857 and sent to Congress for approval.
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution was drafted in 1857 by a convention of Oregon settlers. It was modeled after the United States Constitution and included a bill of rights, a legislative branch, and an executive branch. It also included a clause that prohibited slavery in Oregon, which was a major point of contention between the settlers of the North and South. The Oregon Constitution was written to ensure that the people of Oregon had the right to self-governance and that their rights would be protected. It was a document that was meant to protect the people of Oregon and ensure their rights were not violated.
Admission to the Union
Once the Oregon Constitution was approved by the people of Oregon, it was sent to Congress for approval. Congress debated the merits of admitting Oregon as a state, and ultimately decided to admit Oregon as the 33rd state in the Union. On February 14, 1859, President James Buchanan signed the bill that officially admitted Oregon as a state. This was a momentous occasion for the people of Oregon, as it marked the first time the territory had been granted statehood. With statehood, Oregon was granted the same rights and privileges as the other states in the Union, and the people of Oregon were now able to fully participate in the government of the United States.
