Modern western Oregon was a crucial site of imperial competition in North America during the formative decades of the United States. Whaley examines relations among newcomers and between newcomers and Native peoples--focusing on political sovereignty, religion, trade, sexuality, and the land--from initial encounters to Oregon's statehood. He argues that the process of Oregon's founding is best understood as a contest between the British empire and a nascent American one, with Oregon's Native people and their lands at the heart of the conflict

1789-1869, History, Indians of North America, Indians of North America Government relations, Indians of North America Government relations 1789-1869, Indians of North America Missions, Indians of North America Missions Oregon, Indians of North America Oregon History, Indians, Treatment of, Indians, Treatment of Oregon History, Oregon, Oregon (Terri

Introduction : historical constructions of Oregon and Illahee So many little sovereignties, 1792-1822 Disastrous times we had : expansions and epidemic, 1821-1834 A vital experimental religion : the Methodist mission colony of lower Oregon, 1834-1844 Trophies for God : from mission colony to American colony, 1840-1845 The colonization of Illahee, 1843-1851 Polaklie Illahee (land of darkness) : identity and genocidal culture in Oregon Extermination and empire: money, politics, and the Oregon wars, 1855-1856 Conclusion : Illahee, "Indian colonies", and the paternalist state