Marcus Whitman chose a site among the Cayuse, far from the Nez Perce who requested his services. Analyze how Marcus Whitman's selection of the Waiilatpu mission site revealed something of his character and future work.

Question

(4 points)

Answer 1

Marcus Whitman's selection of the Waiilatpu mission site among the Cayuse, rather than closer to the Nez Perce who had requested his services, reveals significant aspects of his character and foreshadows his future work.

1. Ambition and Manifest Destiny: Whitman's choice reflects his strong ambition and belief in the idea of Manifest Destiny. By selecting a location among the Cayuse, he positioned himself as a missionary with the intention to bring Christianity and Western civilization to the indigenous peoples, viewing the expansion of American influence as a moral imperative.

2. Perceived Importance of the Cayuse: His decision indicates a perception of the Cayuse as a key tribe for his mission work. This might suggest that Whitman believed these people held more potential for conversion or that he saw them as strategically important for establishing a foothold in the region, showcasing his determination to extend the reach of his mission.

3. Isolation and Challenges: Choosing a more isolated site can also highlight a degree of idealism, as he may have thought that geographical remoteness would create a purer environment for his mission work. However, it also foreshadows the challenges he would face, such as difficulty in establishing relationships with the local tribes and the potential for conflict, especially given the later tensions between settlers and indigenous peoples.

4. Commitment to Education and Healthcare: Finally, Whitman’s later work as a physician and educator suggests that his choice of Waiilatpu was not only about religious conversion but also about providing healthcare and education. His commitment to these services would become central to his role in the region, reflecting his character as a dedicated individual seeking to improve the lives of the people he encountered, albeit through a lens of Euro-American values.

Overall, Whitman's site selection reveals a multifaceted character—driven by ambition, idealism, and a complex understanding of his role as a missionary, which would significantly shape his actions and the historical narrative of his time.