Reasons Why The Nez Perce War Began In 1856

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The Nez Perce war began in 1856 over land rights. The war started because Chief Joseph refused to sign a treaty forcing the Nez Perce to relinquish their land to the government for incoming settlers and move to a reservation. The conflict started in 1856 with both the settlers and the Nez Perce accusing each other of stealing farm animals. However, the fighting broke out in 1877 after a settler came into the Nez Perce village looking for a horse and ended up killing a Nez Perce warrior. The war ended on October 5th 1877 when Chief Joseph surrendered. When the fighting broke out the government sent some of Union army which had a lot of men. The Nez Perce had allies who helped them fight as well. The Nez Perce chief was Chief Joseph …show more content…

The Nez Perce refused to sign the agreement that said they would give their land to the government and they said that they were not bothering anyone. However, the settlers did not like Native Americans and accused the Nez Perce of stealing horses and killing their farm animals. Soon after, White Bird attacked the fort and won the battle. In retaliation, the Union attacked the Nez Perce’s allies. As a result, the Nez Perce ran with their fellow allies to an area in Montana that is now known as Yellowstone. They started in the Wallowa Valley in Oregon went through Washington, through Idaho up to Yellowstone. A total of 1,170 miles. All while the union was chasing them. With Chief Joseph leading the allies, the Native Americans were avoid being …show more content…

He used his environment to his advantage. He hid his warriors most of which were women in “rifleman holes.” This allowed the Nez Perce to ambush the Union soldiers while they were resting at their makeshift camps. Even though Chief Joseph was extremely smart, he was unable to provide essential necessities such as food, water and clothes so his people were freezing and starving to death. Through it all they continued to follow him. Eventually, Chief Joseph gave up and rode into the Union camp and told Colonel Nelson A Miles, “I am tired,’ he said. ‘My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.’ The old men are all dead… The little children are freezing to death.’‘Our chiefs are dead.” He surrendered at Bear Claw Mountain in Montana on October 5th,

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