Abstract

The Upper Snake River area was a center of much fur trade activity during the first half of the 1800's. It has many streams and they had abundant quantities of the furs that were being sought by the large parties of men who came into the country.
The early explorers of the Pacific coast hastened the exploration and development of the interior. As they moved along the shores they recorded the possibilities of the riches that were there and helped to form the opinions in each country of how valuable it would be to own the Northwest. This desire to get a good claim on the land brought the explorers by land. First Alexander McKenzie came across Canada to the Pacific. By 1804 the United States was making its bid by sending Lewis and Clark to explore the Missouri River and to make their way to the Pacific, giving the Americans a real claim on the country.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; History

Rights

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