20. Explain how the discovery of gold influenced events leading up to Chief Joseph's war.

Question

You'll have to do this on your own, but to help the lesson "Effects of the treaties" page 3 has the information you need. The question is basically just asking for how the people who found gold played a part in starting the war.

Answer 1

The discovery of gold in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in areas like the Nez Perce territory, had significant implications that contributed to the events leading up to Chief Joseph's War in 1877. Here’s how the gold discovery influenced the situation:

1. Increased Settlement Pressure: The discovery of gold attracted thousands of prospectors and settlers to the region, encroaching on the lands traditionally held by Native American tribes, including the Nez Perce. This influx of settlers led to conflicts over land usage and resources, impacting the Nez Perce way of life and their ability to sustain themselves.

2. Broken Treaties: Prior to the gold rush, treaties had been established between the U.S. government and Native American tribes that defined land boundaries and rights. However, with the discovery of gold, the U.S. government often disregarded these treaties, pressuring tribes to cede their lands. As settlers streamed into Nez Perce territory, the U.S. government attempted to negotiate new treaties that would force the Nez Perce to move to a smaller reservation, thereby disregarding their rights and sovereignty.

3. Rising Tensions: The influx of settlers not only strained relationships between Native Americans and the newcomers but also escalated tensions with the U.S. government. The Nez Perce, under Chief Joseph, resisted these encroachments on their land and the imposition of new treaties that they had not agreed to. The sense of betrayal and urgency among the Nez Perce to protect their heritage and territory heightened animosities.

4. Military Responses: As conflicts arose due to settler encroachment, the U.S. government began to deploy military forces to the region to enforce treaties and protect settlers. This military presence further inflamed tensions and set the stage for conflict, leading to the events of the Nez Perce War.

5. Cultural Displacement: The discovery of gold catalyzed a broader pattern of cultural displacement for the Nez Perce people. The arrival of settlers altered their social structures, disrupted their hunting and fishing practices, and diminished their access to critical resources, all of which contributed to the urgency and necessity for Chief Joseph and his people to resist.

Overall, the discovery of gold motivated U.S. government actions that led to treaty violations, increased settler encroachment, and ultimately conflict, culminating in Chief Joseph's war, as the Nez Perce fought to defend their homeland and preserve their way of life against overwhelming odds.