Fishers Then Farmers (North American Empires)

Around 4000 BC the Pacific Northwest was inhabited by several hunter-gatherers-fishers. Because they rarely moved from their living space, conflict was at a minimum and allowed technological advances to take place. Soon, in 3800 BC, the Chinooks was the first tribe there to establish farming.

Chinook Expansion
The Chinooks, who lived along the coast and the Columbia River, were not nomadic and got their food from fishing along the water or hunting animals, mainly elk. Settling down allowed them to discover farming, which greatly increased their food supply. The population then grew, which meant the Chinooks needed to expand so their land was not overused. They began to conquer neighboring tribes, and set up farms there. During the conquests, mines were discovered. The Chinooks are credited as the first peoples to use bronze weaponry in the Pacific Northwest, around 3000 BC.

During this time, the First Kingdom of Chinook began, began by Labai I. Labai took control of the Chinooks using his strong army equipped with bronze weapons. Labai focused on conquering the Pacific Northwest, first by controlling all the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Labai also created Chinook's first navy, by building large boats fit with archers. Labai's son was the first ruler to have ships fitted with sails. Chinook ships pillaged the coast and took money and fish from passing ships. The navy soon established dominance in coastal waters.

With dominance on land and sea, the First Kingdom quickly established dominance over the Pacific Northwest.