1859 - 1889

The Statehood Era

I can use a timeline to track the events that lead to Washington’s achievement of statehood.

Learning Target:

Population in Washington is 1,201

1850

Washington becomes a territory.

1853

End of the Spokane Wars.The land is now prepared for more settlers.

1858

By 1853 America had acquired all lands in the continental U.S.

The U.S. government knew they would have trouble keeping of defending the land. They needed to encourage people to move West fast.

Whites felt safer moving west after the Indian removals.

Enticing People to Washington Territory

Population in Washington is 11,594

1860

1860

1850 18600

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

1850

1860

Population

Population

The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail was used by all of the new pioneers coming west. This trail became more efficient for three reasons:

1. Routes became more defined and smoother.2. Wagons are better. 3. It is not just one main trail. The trail has

many short cuts so travelers can get to their exact destination faster.

Page 231

The Oregon Trail

Anyone in the West could obtain 160 acres if they lived and developed the land for five years. OR after six months they could pat $1.25 an acre for the land.

400,000 – 600,000 European and American families moved west because of the Homestead Act.

1862 Homestead Act

1850-1870 Pg. 228

Most of the pioneers were whites from the Eastern U.S.

The largest minority group represented were African Americans:Slavery was legal in the South and some came

seeking freedom.Some African Americans were free already.African Americans could not own land.Less than 100.Oregon State banned African American from

living there.

People

Based on what you know about the geography of Washington State where do you think most pioneers settled?

And Why?

Pioneers in Washington

Washington

Washington

EverettSeattleTacoma

Spokane

Vancouver, Yakama, and Walla Walla

Between the 1870s and 1880sIndustrialization replaced the

craftsmen with factories.More products are produced at

higher speeds.Factories required more resources

and labor.People immigrated to the U.S. to

meet the factories’ needs.

Industrialization

The Railroads

The railroads were one of the greatest products of and propellers of the Industrial Revolution.

Allowed for efficient (fast and cheep) transport of people and goods.Economic and Population growth.

The Railroads

18691st Transcontinental Railroad is built

Population in Washington is 23,955

1870

1870

1850 1860 18700

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

1850

1860

1870

Population

Population

The Chinese were one of the fastest growing minority populations, coming from the mines and railroads in California.

They found work in the canneries and in agriculture. Working conditions were brutal.

1870 Chinese Immigration

Population in Washington is 73,116

1880

1880

1850 1860 1870 18800

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

1850

1860

1870

1880

Population

Population

Chinese Exclusion ActMany U.S. citizens became frustrated that the Chinese were “taking jobs” and Congress eventually passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.

“No More Chinese Immigration!”

1882

Tacoma’s “Twenty-Seven”

Northern Pacific Railroad1883

Population in Washington is 357,232

1889

1889

1850 1860 1870 1880 18890

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

18501860

1870

1880

1889

Population

Population

Washington becomes the 42nd State on Nov. 11th!

1889

Prior to 1870 a territory needed at least 60,000 residents in order to become a state.

In 1870 that number changed to 125,000.In 1878 Washington had 75,000 and proposed

to Congress that they become a state. They were denied.

By way of the Omnibus Bill Washington became a state in 1889 with over 300,000 residents.

Statehood meant:Washington had state status.Washington had a voice in Congress.

Statehood Page 250

Agriculture was difficult: heavily forested on the western side and deserts on the East.

Beef cattle was successful and meat was exported to Idaho, Oregon and even California.

Dryland farming (Growing without irrigation) gave rise to wheat farming.

Page 236

Agriculture: Before Railroads

Wheat Farming

One of the most successful economic industries.

1851: Shoalwater Bay oysters were commercially harvested.

Canneries became popular because of all the salmon. Hume Cannery, near the Columbia River, produced 4,000 cases in 1866 and 18,000 cases in 1868.There were no refrigerators to canned fish was

very important.

Fishing: Before Railroads

In 1849 a large amount of gold was discovered in California (Gold Rush).

In the 1850s and 1860s miners moved north searching for gold.

Gold was discovered in Northeastern Washington (Colville).Small mining towns were established

throughout Washington.

Mining: Before Railroads

Timber

The California gold rush increased the demand for lumber. Washington’s lumber companies grew.

1853 Henry Yesler constructed the Territories first steam powered sawmill in Seattle.

By the 1860s Washington’s lumber was being used and shipped all over the world, expanding Washington’s shipping industry as well.

Page 237: Info on working conditions for mining and timber.

Timber: Before Railroads

Agriculture was difficult: heavily forested on the western side and deserts on the East.

Beef cattle was successful and meat was exported to Idaho, Oregon and even California.

Dryland farming (Growing without irrigation) gave rise to wheat farming.

After the railroads: Agriculture grew to include irrigation farmers (fruits and vegetables) and ranchers. Hops became a very successful crop that was shipped all over the world.

Agriculture: After Railroads Page 248

Hop Pickers in White River Valley

One of the most successful economic industries.1851: Shoalwater Bay oysters were commercially

harvested.Canneries became popular because of all the

salmon. Hume Cannery, near the Columbia River, produced 4,000 cases in 1866 and 18,000 cases in 1868.There were no refrigerators to canned fish was very

important.After the railroads: Continued to grow and

became a main source of jobs (although the jobs were difficult).

Fishing: After Railroads

In 1849 a large amount of gold was discovered in California (Gold Rush).

In the 1850s and 1860s miners moved north searching for gold.

Gold was discovered in Northeastern Washington (Colville).Small mining towns were established throughout

Washington.After the railroads: Mining continued to grow

and expanded to include other resources like coal. As a result of growing mining Spokane grew.

Mining: After Railroads

The California gold rush increased the demand for lumber. Washington’s lumber companies grew.

1853 Henry Yesler constructed the Territories first steam powered sawmill in Seattle.

By the 1860s Washington’s lumber was being used and shipped all over the world, expanding Washington’s shipping industry as well.

After the railroads: Grew to provide 80% of Washington Territory’s manufacturing income.

Timber: After Railroads

The Dawes ActBetween 1887 and

1934 100 million more acres were lost.

Reservations shift from communal ownership to private and individual ownership.