How did the discovery of gold influence events leading up to Chief Joseph's war?

Answer 1

The discovery of gold contributed to pressures on Nez Perce lands, ultimately leading up to Chief Joseph's war, also known as the Nez Perce War, in 1877.

1. Encroachment on Nez Perce land: The discovery of gold in the Idaho territory in the early 1860s led to an influx of white settlers, miners, and prospectors. These individuals began encroaching on Nez Perce lands, seeking gold, and ultimately putting pressure on the resources and sovereignty of the Nez Perce people.

2. Treaty negotiations and divisions: In 1863, the United States government attempted to renegotiate the Treaty of 1855, which had set aside a large piece of land for the Nez Perce. The new treaty proposal, known as the Lapwai Treaty or the "Thief Treaty," reduced the Nez Perce territory by around 90% to accommodate the influx of settlers and prospectors. This renegotiation created divisions among the Nez Perce, leading to tensions between the pro-treaty faction (who supported signing the new treaty) and the non-treaty faction (who opposed the changes). Chief Joseph was among the non-treaty leaders, standing firm against the US government's attempts to reduce their land.

3. Land conflicts and violence: As prospectors continued to enter Nez Perce territory and violate the terms of the treaties, tensions escalated. Conflicts over land and resources became more frequent, leading to violence between the Nez Perce and the white settlers.

4. Forced removal and the Nez Perce War: As tensions continued to rise, the United States government ordered the non-treaty bands of Nez Perce, including Chief Joseph's, to move to a reservation in Idaho. Many Nez Perce were against this move and resisted, leading to the outbreak of the Nez Perce War in 1877.

In summary, the discovery of gold in Nez Perce lands intensified conflicts over territory and resources, ultimately leading to pressures that contributed to the outbreak of the Nez Perce War in 1877.