Washington State, named after the first president of the United States, is a place renowned for it beautiful greenery and magnificent mountain ranges. In the early 1980’s, Washington made national news when Mount St. Helen erupted, killing 57 people. The state symbolized the fruition of Manifest Destiny when it became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889.
Before Europeans found this remote region in the Pacific Northwest, a rich menagerie of Native American cultures inhabited the region. The native people consisted of the Nez Perce, Spokan, Yakima, Cayuse, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Colville in the interior of the state. The coastal region of the state was home to the Nooksak, Chinook, Nisqually, Clallam, Makah, Quinault and Puyallup. They sustained themselves by using the land’s resources.
Unlike many other regions of North America, Washington remained practically unadulterated by European settlers. The first recorded landing occurred in 1775, when Spanish explorer Bruno Heceta found the area and claimed it for his nation. They were attracted to the region for its abundant supply of sea otter fur. Eventually, other explorers came to the area to survey the region.
British explorers, including Captain James Cook, found the area. Eventually, the British obtained the region from Spain after the Nootka Sound Agreement in 1790. Once the British claimed the areas, they opened it up trade and settlement to Europeans and North Americans. By the turn of the century, British shifted interest from sea otter fur to fur-bearing land animals.
Boston merchants were the first Americans to show interest in the Pacific Northwest, particularly Captain Robert Gray. He explored the Columbia River in 1792 and set up a sea otter pelt trade. When the Lewis and Clark Expedition came to the region in 1805, public interest in the region was ignited. This expedition led to the establishment of a fur-trading post in Astoria, founded by millionaire John Jacob Astor.
Spain gave up their rights to the region to the United States in 1819, which began a joint occupancy dispute concerning Oregon between the United States and Britain. This land dispute would last until June 15, 1846, when the U.S.-Canadian boundary was established and the British gave up their land claim according to the terms of the Treaty of Oregon.
The Washington territory was separated from Oregon in 1853, with less than 4,000 white residents. When the Northern Pacific and Great Northern rail lines were completed, the economic situation in the area improved. The area finally met the criteria to become a state in 1889.
Now, Washington State is one of the most prosperous areas of the country. It gave birth to Starbucks and Microsoft, and in our present economic situation, it is struggling less than other states. There is also nothing more awe-inspiring than flying above the mountain ranges in the state.
Sources:
http://www.history.com
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