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Fur trade Rendezvous 1825-1840: This map shows
the locations of fur trade rendezvous from 1825-1840, with the
geopolitical boundaries which existed at that time.
Oregon Country was under joint administration by both Great Britain
and the United States. One of
the major goals of the Hudson’s Bay Company, a quasi-governmental
monopoly, during this period was the creation of a fur desert in the Rocky
Mountain region. It was
believed that without the economic incentives of the fur trade, that the
Americans would abandon the Oregon Country, and it would then pass into
British control The northern
border of Mexico during this time coincided with what are now the northern
boundaries of the states of California, Nevada, and a portion of Utah.
As can be seen from the map, six of the rendezvous were held on the
territory of Mexico. It is
doubtful that either the Americans or Mexicans knew that these gatherings
were being held on the territory of Mexico.
This area was far from any of the population centers of Mexico and
was important to Mexico primarily as a buffer zone separating it’s
population from potential enemies, either the British or Americans.
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