Chapter 7 – Whose Land
Washington’s original inhabitants were the
Native Americans. When the first Spanish sea
explorers arrived in 1542AD, the Native American
culture and life style was changed forever.
Over the past 460 years, four groups of
people came into the Washington area. These
groups included the explorers, fur traders,
missionaries, and settlers. They first came as
individuals and then as families. These groups
each contributed to the political, cultural, and
economic systems of the region.
Sea explorers sailed along the Pacific
coastline. Expeditions also crossed the continent by
foot, canoe, and horseback. Explorers claimed
political control for their countries. They sought gold
and silver as well. Their top priority, though, was to
acquire as much land as possible. These
land and sea explorers did not stay, but eventually
returned home.
American and British trappers and traders
came to the region with different interests. Their
main interest was to make a profit and live off the
land. Trading posts and forts were established
along the major river banks in the region. As you
already know, the fur trade era prospered until the
mid-19th century. By that time most of the prized
animals had been over trapped. With few animals
left, the fur trade business came to a sudden end.
The time had come to focus on settling the
Pacific Northwest. The missionaries followed the
traders and trappers west. They taught religion to
the Native Americans and pioneers as part of their
mission work. As quickly as the missionary era
began, however, it also ended.
The missionary era came to a close with the
attack at the Waiilatpu Mission in 1847. This attack
began a period of violent conflicts between the
settlers and the Native Americans. As the conflicts
continued, the migration of pioneers west along the
Oregon Trail increased.
Americans wanted to claim the land in the
West. All the while, the Indians were being forced
from their land. These events forced them to battle
for their land and survival!
The Great Migration
In 1837, the United States suffered from
difficult economic times, or a depression.
Americans struggled to keep jobs, homes, farms,
and even businesses. During these difficult times
many families looked for a new start.
A few men known as “Oregon Promoters”
wrote articles about the beauty and fertility of the
Willamette River Valley in Oregon. They said
Oregon would offer a new start with free land. The
promoters promised that opportunity awaited those
who dared to cross the continent. As a result, many
hopeful families began their journey West.
The Oregon Pioneer
Why did thousands of settlers leave the
East for Washington and Oregon’s Willamette River
Valley? Each pioneer had his or her own personal
reasons. Adventure, land, and a new start in life
were reason enough for many. Whatever the
reason, the pioneer’s decision to leave home
affected every family member.
Pioneers came west by the tens of
thousands between the 1840s and 1860s. They
came by sea and by land. Each pioneer faced
challenges and hardships. It was not unusual for
these brave pioneers to give up everything to go
west to Oregon. Some paid the ultimate price along
the way; they lost their lives.
Sea Route
Once a pioneer made the decision to
journey west, other important choices followed. An
important decision was how to get there. Some
settlers chose to sail from the eastern United States
around the southern tip of South America. This
route was referred to as “Around the Horn.”
The journey took several months to reach San
Francisco. For those sailing to Seattle, the trip was
even longer.
The trip around the horn was very
expensive. Worse yet, it was just as dangerous as
the overland route. Many people lost their lives
traveling around Cape Horn. During the difficult
economic times, only the wealthier Americans
chose the sea route. The majority of pioneers had
no option but to use the overland route to the
Oregon Country.
Land Route
The Lewis and Clark expedition had not
taken the easiest land route west. This was due to
the difficulty in crossing the northern Rocky
Mountains. For nearly 40 years, explorers and
trappers searched for a better route. Finally,
Benjamin Bonneville’s discovery of South Pass
proved to be the important breakthrough.
South Pass was a 30 mile wide path
through the rugged Rocky Mountains. The path
was wide and flat. It was ideal for the wagons of the
pioneers. Nathaniel Wyeth was one of the Oregon
promoters. He worked with John C. Fremont to
push the Oregon Trail farther westward from South
Pass. In 1836, Dr. Marcus Whitman, the famous
Protestant missionary, brought wagons as far as
Fort Boise, Idaho. They were forced to stop there
due to the rugged Blue Mountains. Then in the
summer of 1840, Doc Newell and Joe Meek
successfully led the first wagons across the Blue
Mountains. Once they had done so, they then
traveled west along the Columbia River to Oregon.
They had finally created a wagon route linking
Missouri to the Oregon Country.
The Oregon Trail was not established by
any one person. Instead it was the result of
considerable efforts by many explorers, trappers,
and even missionaries.
The Oregon Trail was a much-needed route
from Independence, Missouri to Fort Vancouver,
Washington. The trail was no more than a dirt path
across the continent. Many of the trail’s travelers
would eventually settle in Oregon's Willamette
River Valley. The Oregon Trail was the primary
route west from 1840 to 1869.
The Oregon Trail
Until the 1840s, only small groups made the
overland journey. They searched for the shortest,
quickest, and safest land route. There were no
known wagon trails through the rugged mountains
of the West.
By 1851, the Oregon Trail was the most
traveled route to the West. On their journey,
pioneers suffered everything from relentless bugs
to hunger. They faced constant dangers from
disease, animals, snakes, and even Indian attacks.
The elderly, sick, and young pioneers often died
during the long journey west. The 2,000 mile
journey west forced everyone to experience
firsthand the hardships of early pioneer life.
Independence
Independence, Missouri was the last city
before pioneers headed west. Independence was
know to the pioneers as the “jumping off” point.
This was the pioneers’ last chance to change their
minds!
Independence was located on the Missouri
River near present day Kansas City. Anyone
traveling west from Independence could expect to
travel through hostile Indian territory. Pioneers, in
an attempt to protect themselves, organized large
groups. These groups became known as wagon
trains. Pioneers believed that the larger numbers of
people would provide protection against Indian
attacks.
Independence had numerous stores and
blacksmiths available to the pioneer. Pioneers
bought food and supplies. Large quantities of flour,
coffee, bacon, and other food products traveled
with the pioneers. The only way to haul all this food
was by wagon. Blacksmiths built wagons by the
thousands in Independence. Once they had the
wagon, the pioneers needed animals to pull it.
Oxen were the animals of choice. After the pioneer
had supplies, a wagon, and an ox, the only thing
left to do was wait.
The First Leg—Crossing the Great Plains
The wait was important. Leaving
Independence before the grass was long was a
fatal mistake. They needed the grass to feed their
oxen on the journey. By early May, grass on the the
Great Plain had grown tall. It was only then that the
pioneers left Independence for Oregon.
Wagon trains headed west across the vast
grasslands of the Great Plains. This was an easy
portion of the trip. The land was flat, the grass was
long, and drinking water was plentiful. The pioneers
also did not need to worry about attack from the
plains Indians. They were friendly to the pioneers.
On a good day, pioneers could travel about 20
miles.
The wagons rolled across the Kansas
prairies toward Fort Kearny, Nebraska following the
Platte River. Once rested, the pioneers followed the
Platte west across Nebraska. Eventually they went
along side the North Platte River.
The first landmark for the pioneers was
Chimney Rock. They eagerly anticipated it once
they crossed Mitchell Pass. They followed the
North Platte River until reaching Fort Laramie,
Wyoming. Repairs and supplies were purchased
Wyoming. Repairs and supplies were purchased
during this stop. Leaving Fort Laramie, the wagon
trains continued their journey west. The rugged
Rocky Mountains, however, loomed on the horizon.
The Second Leg—Crossing the Rockies
Midway between Fort Laramie and South
Pass was Independence Rock. Farther to the west,
the wagon train left the North Platte River to cross
the main Rockies by way of South Pass.
Once through the pass, the route became
difficult What was the best route to Fort Hall,
Idaho? There were different opinions. Thus, the
Oregon Trail split into two routes. Some wagon
trains traveled farther south to Fort Bridger in the
southwestern corner of Wyoming. Other wagon
trains continued in a northwesterly direction into the
Snake River Valley of southeastern Idaho.
Upon reaching Fort Hall, the pioneers
rested for a few days. Their wagons were repaired
and supplies replenished. This was a critical
juncture in their journey west. If they chose Oregon,
they continued on a northerly route through the
Blue Mountains. If their choice was Sacramento,
they continued on the California Trail that took them
through hot and dry Nevada deserts. Their choice
was often a difficult one!
Third Leg—Whitman’s Mission
Oregon pioneers followed the Snake River
from Fort Hall to Fort Boise, Idaho. There the
Oregon Trail left the Snake River Canyon and
continued through the rugged Blue Mountains by
way of the Grande Rhonde River Valley. After
crossing the rugged Blue Mountains, the journey
was relatively easy to Dr. Whitman’s Waiilatpu
Mission in southeastern Washington.
The Whitman Mission was a popular stop
along the Oregon Trail. Pioneers needed the rest,
relaxation, supplies, and the opportunity to make
wagon repairs before heading on to Fort
Vancouver.
Before the Whitman Massacre in November
1847, the Oregon Trail led directly to the Whitmans’
Waiilatpu Mission. After the brutal massacre, the
pioneers on the Oregon Trail bypassed the mission.
Fourth Leg—Fort Vancouver and Salem
The wagon train eventually reached the
Columbia River. It could either follow the river on
land or float downstream. A series of falls and
rapids made floating down the Columbia very risky.
Instead the pioneers carried supplies and used
their wagons to get around the rapids and falls.
Once beyond the falls, they continued to float the
river until reaching Fort Vancouver. After finally
reaching Fort Vancouver, the long and difficult
journey was over! The weary travelers were
greeted by Dr. John McLoughlin.
McLoughlin was an employee of the Britishowned Hudson’s Bay Company. He proved to be
extremely helpful to the hopeful pioneers.
McLoughlin had another reason for being so
helpful. He convinced American pioneers to settle
in the Willamette River Valley of Oregon. This
strengthened Great Britain’s claim to western
Washington.
Many pioneers saw Oregon as less of a risk
for attack. They did not want what happened to the
Whitmans to also happen to them. They would find
very little protection in Washington from either the
United States or British governments. These fears,
in combination with Dr. McLoughlin’s promotion,
allowed Oregon to grow much faster than
Washington.
Indian Conflicts
Coastal and plateau Indians have always
had to defend against attack from neighboring
tribes. The food and fresh water the tribes enjoyed
were envied by other tribes. These attacks became
more frequent as food supplies declined.
As the land and food supplies decreased for
the Native Americans, hostility towards the
pioneers increased. It seemed a hopeless battle
against the whites to keep their traditional way of
life. Relations between the pioneers and the Native
Americans became more violent after the signing of
the Treaty of Oregon in 1846. This treaty gave the
United States government even more control over
the land in the Oregon Country.
Native American – White Relationships
The Native Americans and the whites had
major cultural differences. The Indians did not want
to become Christians and civilized farmers. They
wanted to keep their language, religion, customs,
and life style. With no written alphabet and various
languages, communication was difficult if not
impossible. Fear and prejudice only added to the
distrust.
Native Americans did not believe in land
ownership. They lived within the boundaries of
nature. Native Americans disagreed with the
pioneers idea that people could own any portion of
the land. They were more in tune with the land and
nature than the white intruders.
The pioneers drastically changed the
appearance of the land. Their search for gold,
silver, copper, and coal altered the land. Fences
marked boundaries and restricted the movement of
animals. These changes affected the Native
Americans way of life. Food supplies decreased
because of the changing habitat of the animals.
Suddenly everyone was competing for the same
water, animals, and living areas.
The United States government increased
the tensions between the pioneers and Native
Americans. Army troops were sent west to enforce
treaties, provide protection, and punish anyone who
did not follow the new rules. This included the
Native Americans. The treaties also created Indian
reservations. Army troops removed Indians from
their traditional lands.
They were forced onto lands set aside by
the United States government. Their way of life was
forever changed. The United States government
encouraged the pioneers and railroad companies to
seek free or cheap land in the West. Land was to
be settled. Railroads were built to move people and
freight. To make matters worse, the tragic Whitman
Massacre occurred. It changed the attitude of
Americans strongly against the Indian. Many
believed it was a savage act without cause.
The Whitman Massacre
Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife, Narcissa,
were Protestant missionaries from the East. They
established their Waiilatpu Mission near present
day Walla Walla, Washington. The mission
flourished along the Oregon Trail. It was one of the
more important stops. Over time, relations between
the Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Umatilla tribes and
the Whitmans became strained. The Cayuse
became suspicious of the Whitmans after a
measles outbreak. Many Indians died after being
treated by Dr. Whitman. In contrast, the white
settlers treated by Dr. Whitman survived. Thus, Dr.
Whitman was seen as an unsuccessful shaman, or
medicine man, by the Native Americans.
It is believed that the Cayuse Indians held
Dr. Whitman responsible for the numerous deaths
of their people during the measles epidemic. To
make matters worse, the Native Americans disliked
Narcissa. She appeared to show them little respect.
Also, the Indians associated the Whitmans with the
growing number of settlers traveling the Oregon
Trail.
On November 29, 1847, two hostile Cayuse
warriors, Tilaukait and Tomahas, led a savage
attack killing the Whitmans and 13 other Waiilatpu
residents. In addition, the Cayuse took 45 women
and children captive.
The national reaction to the Whitman
Massacre was pure shock and bitter anger. The
brutal murders of the Whitmans and the abuse of
45 hostages terrified all Americans. Americans
demanded immediate action to protect the people
living in the Oregon Country. They also wanted the
quick capture and punishment of those Cayuse
warriors responsible for the massacre. Although the
United States had acquired the Oregon Territory in
1846, it was not considered a territory at the
time of the attack. Thus, the United States
government could not act against the Cayuse. In
1847, only a provisional government of Oregon had
the authority to respond to this tragic event. The
provisional government quickly
organized a militia of 300-500 men. The militia, led
by Joe Meek, searched for the Cayuse Indians
responsible for the attack and abuse of the
captives.
After nearly two years, Cayuse warriors
Tilaukait, Tomahas, and three others were finally
captured. After a long trial, Tilaukait, Tomahas,
Kiamasumpkin, Iaiachalakis, and Klokomas were
found guilty and sentenced to death. They
were hung on June 3, 1850 for their roles in the
attack on the Whitmans and others.
The attack forced the United States
Congress to grant territorial status to Oregon on
August 14, 1848. With territorial status, the United
States Army could protect American residents in
Oregon. The Whitman Massacre ended the
missionary era. It brought about the beginning
of a series of wars in the Pacific Northwest.
Peace Treaties
In 1853, the United States government
organized the Washington Territory. The first
Washington territorial governor was Isaac Stevens.
Governor Stevens had, by 1855, negotiated 12
tribal treaties with the coastal tribes. These treaties
limited the fishing and hunting rights of the coastal
tribes. In addition, he also forced the tribes to live
on reservations. At the time, these treaties seemed
fair to both the coastal tribes and the settlers. The
treaties with the coastal tribes were relatively easy
to negotiate compared to the treaties with the
plateau Indians. The interior Indians did not want to
submit to the white man. Today, the terms of all
Indian treaties are being reviewed closely,
especially concerning the fishing and property
rights of both the plateau and coastal Indians.
The Walla Walla Council
Governor Stevens and Joel Palmer, Indian
agent for the Washington Territory, requested that
the plateau Indians come to the negotiation table.
The interior tribes proved to be a difficult challenge
in treaty negotiations.
Governor Stevens, Joel Palmer, and 43
soldiers arrived at Mill Creek on May 21, 1855, near
Waiilatpu Mission. They met to discuss peace
treaty options. All the major interior tribes were
represented, except for the Palouse and Spokane
tribes. By May 28, there were nearly 5,000 Plateau
Indians attending what came to be known as the
Walla Walla Council.
The most significant event, at the council
meeting, was a rumor. The Nez Perce heard that
the Yakama, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes planned
to kill Governor Stevens and all of his delegation.
Chief Joseph and his 2,500 warriors encircled
Governor Stevens and his people. The Nez Perce
saved the governor and his delegation.
By June 11, 1855, three separate peace
treaties had been negotiated and signed. The final
terms established three reservations, paid a lump
sum of cash to each tribe, and paid annual salaries
to the chief of each tribe for 20 years. The Nez
Perce reservation covered more than 7.6 million
acres of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho.
The main portion of the reservation was located in
the Wallowa and Blue mountains. The Nez Perce
tribe received $200,000 plus a $500 annual
payment to each tribal chief.
Later treaties would reduce their reservation
to only 756,968 acres. This resulted in the famous
attempt of the Nez Perce to retreat into Canada. A
second treaty was signed by the tribal chiefs of the
Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Umatilla tribes. The
treaty granted these tribes an 800 square mile
reservation along the Umatilla River in northeast
Oregon. Each tribal chief also received a $150,000
cash payment plus $500 annual salary.
The third major treaty of the Walla Walla
Council was with the 14 tribes of the Yakama
Nations. The Yakamas had controlled most of the
central section of Washington. Their reservation
was greatly reduced, however, from 10 million
acres to only 1.25 million acres. It extended from
the Yakima River west to the Cascades. It also
included a vital salmon fishing spot in a small area
along the Wenatchee River.
The Yakamas received $200,000 cash
payment, and each chief’s annual salary was $500.
At the close of the Walla Walla Council, Governor
Stevens had signed three treaties. These treaties
gave Washington nearly 22 million acres of free
land. Of course, there were many very unhappy
tribes. Especially bitter were the Yakama tribes of
eastern Washington.
The Yakama Wars
A series of battles from 1855 to 1858 were
called the Yakama Wars. These wars placed the
plateau Indians against the settlers and the United
States Army. The Yakama Wars were widespread.
They especially presented great danger to the
settlers in eastern Washington. So much danger, in
fact, that the territorial government closed the
region to all settlement.
The Yakama Wars were a major reason that
it took 36 years for the territory of Washington to
finally gain statehood. Why did the Yakama Wars
start so soon after the treaty signing at the Walla
Walla Council?
The seemingly unfair terms of the treaty,
broken promises, and poor reservation conditions
were the main reasons. The discovery of gold, in
eastern Washington river valleys, also resulted in
confrontation. An attack against the miners was led
by Yakama Chief Kamiakin. Once fighting started,
the Yakamas quickly swept the river valleys of the
miners and settlers.
The battles even spread into western
Washington. These battles lasted from October
1855 to March 1856. The increase in violence
prompted the government to send several war
ships into Puget Sound to protect the settlers from
attack.
Word spread of an attack planned by the
Nisqually Indians on Seattle blockhouses. On
January 26, 1856, the feared attack was prevented
when the Decatur fired its cannons into the woods
near Third Avenue. Chief Leschi and the waiting
war party retreated, burning buildings as they fled.
For his role in the attack, Chief Leschi was found
guilty of murder and destruction of property. He
was executed at Fort Steilacoom on February 19,
1858.
The second major battle of the Yakama
Wars was fought in the Walla Walla Valley. Chief
Peopeomoxmox of the Walla Walla tribe led his
warriors in an attack on Fort Walla Walla. They
burned the fort and fled the area.
In December 1855, a group of Oregon
volunteers led by Lt. James Kelley pursued the
Walla Wallas. Chief Peopeomoxmox was captured,
killed, and scalped at the battle of Frenchtown. With
the killing of their chief, the Walla Walla tribe was
defeated.
The Cascades Attack
In March 1856, Chief Kamiakin led a
surprise attack on a small town called Cascades.
Cascades was an important town where goods
traveling on the Columbia River were brought, or
portaged, around a series of rapids. Kamiakin’s
goal was to gain control of the Columbia Gorge.
The gorge is located where the Columbia River
cuts through the Cascade Mountains. Kamiakin’s
success would have isolated eastern Washington.
The settlers east of the Cascade Mountains would
have been trapped by the Plateau Indians.
Kamiakin’s plan was also to unite all Plateau tribes
against the settlers in the Puget Sound and
Willamette River Valley areas. Although a brilliant
plan, it did not work. Kamiakin’s warriors were
driven off by the Cascade settlers.
The Battle of Rosalia
Native Americans, miners, and settlers all
disagreed over the treaties. These disagreements
caused increased hostility. Fort Colville was the site
of another conflict between the Indians and gold
miners. In the summer of 1855, several gold miners
trespassed on the Spokane Reservation.
These trespassers were captured and killed.
In response, the United States Army ordered
Colonel Steptoe and a detachment of 157 soldiers
to Fort Colville. Steptoe’s mission was to provide
protection for the settlers and miners. He also was
to establish peace between both sides. On May 16,
1858, Colonel Steptoe and his troops were trapped
while traveling through a ravine. More than 1,000
warriors of the Palouse, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene,
and Nez Perce tribes surrounded Colonel Steptoe
and his soldiers.
Trapped and desperate, he wisely asked for
a meeting with the chiefs. They told him not to enter
the Spokane tribe’s land. The Indian warriors were
ready to fight. They harassed the soldiers, trying to
provoke a battle. Outnumbered five to one, Steptoe
withdrew. He and his soldiers withdrew to a nearby
lake and set up camp for the night. The next
morning, Steptoe began a retreat toward Fort Walla
Walla.
Colonel Steptoe was again surrounded by warriors.
Steptoe decided to fight this time. A running battle
began in which several of his men were killed or
wounded. Steptoe, humiliated from the loss, again
tried to retreat. Warriors followed his retreat and
again surrounded the detachment. Steptoe decided
their only chance of a safe escape was to flee
under the safety of darkness. Finally, Steptoe and
his men marched south to the Snake River. After
crossing the river, they continued south to the
safety of Fort Walla Walla.
The Battle of Spokane Plains
Early in the Yakama Wars, General James
E. Wool was in charge of the United States Army in
eastern Washington. General Wool was replaced
by Brigadier General Newman S. Clarke. Early in
1858, General Clarke met with Colonel Steptoe and
Colonel Wright to plan a new campaign. General
Clark sent Major Garnett to clear the river valleys of
hostile Indians along the eastern slope of the
Cascade Mountains. Colonel Wright and his troops
would then push north toward Spokane and Fort
Colville. Garnett quickly cleared the Yakima Valley.
Reinforced with artillery and infantry, he drove the
Indians toward Spokane.
Colonel Wright met with stiffer resistance.
Wright’s men, now equipped with the new longrange Sharps rifle, won the battle. Colonel Wright
offered the warriors a chance to surrender.
Refusing the surrender, the Indians strengthened
their position just east of Spokane Falls. The
soldiers won the decisive battle. After the battle, the
United States Army captured and slaughtered
nearly 900 Indian horses. Without their horses, the
warring Indians lost mobility and their ability to fight.
In the weeks that followed the September 8, 1858
battle, many warring tribes surrendered. Their
leaders were captured and executed with the
exception of Chief Kamiakin, who escaped to
Canada.
The Nez Perce
For nearly 30 years after the Whitman
Massacre in 1847, violence was common
throughout the region. The battle with the Nez
Perce tragically closed this era of conflict between
the settlers and the region’s Native Americans. The
Nez Perce had been the region’s largest and
friendliest tribe. There had never been any violent
conflicts between the Nez Perce and settlers. The
Nez Perce helped guide the Lewis and Clark
Expedition to the Columbia River. They provided
protection to the Spaldings during the Whitman
Massacre. They even protected Governor Isaac
Stevens at the Walla Walla Council.
The Nez Perce had never been responsible
for the death of a single white person. Tragically,
the relationship between whites and the Nez Perce
was severely harmed by the bloodshed, violence,
and warfare during Chief Joseph’s Nez Perce
Retreat in 1877.
In 1877, General Howard requested that the
Lower Nez Perce move off their land. He wanted
them to move to the Lapwai Reservation. Howard
gave them only one month to move all their
possessions and members to the reservation.
During that month, a small band of Nez Perce
warriors attacked and killed four settlers. This
resulted in the United States Army taking the Nez
Perce land and possessions. As a result, Chief
Joseph refused to go to the Lapwai Reservation.
Chief Joseph and the 500 members of his tribe
nearly completed their difficult 1,300 mile journey to
Canada and freedom. During this military
campaign, Chief Joseph earned the respect of not
only his people, but also his opponents’. Chief
Joseph earned a reputation as a brilliant military
strategist and leader.
Chapter Summary
Native Americans warred against each
other for thousands of years before the first whites
arrived in 1542. Relations between the Spanish,
British, and American explorers with the Native
Americans was at first very peaceful. More white
settlers started to claim the land of the Native
Americans. Tensions, misunderstandings, and
violence increased.
Over a period from the 1780s to 1860s,
wars and violent conflicts became more common.
Another factor was the rapidly declining population
of Native Americans. Their decline was the result of
disease and starvation. When the government
began forcing them onto reservations, the Native
Americans became desperate. Their way of life had
been completely changed. Survival now became a
major issue as more and more whites took over
their land.
In the area where the state of Washington is
now located, all regions were affected by
bloodshed between the Native Americans and
settlers. No land or people were spared. At first
there were some minor clashes between the whites
and Native Americans. After the killing of the
Whitmans at the Waiilatpu Mission, clashes
became full-scale wars. The Yakama Wars lasted
from 1855 to 1858. By the start of the 20th century,
tribes around the country were forced onto
reservations. They were taught the white man’s
way of life. The Native Americans lost control of
their land. Their way of life was lost due to the
expansion of a country.
CHAPTER REVIEW ACTIVITIES
1. Use either a dictionary or the glossary to define each
of the following terms:
artillery
cavalry
pioneer
route
treaty
blockhouse
epidemic
reservation
settler
wagon train
2. Identify the major contributions of the following
people:
Gen. Howard
Chief Kamiakin
Chief Leshi
Col. Steptoe
Nathaniel Wyeth
Chief Joseph
Lt. James Kelley
Joe Meek
Tilaukait Whitmans
3. Locate the following on a Washington, Pacific
Northwest, or United States map:
Blue Mountains
Fort Laramie
North Platte River
Columbia River
Fort Vancouver
Snake River
Fort Hall
Great Plains
South Pass
Fort Kearny
Independence Rock
Waiilatpu Mission
4. Each of the following historical events are not their
proper chronological order.
Identify the date of each event or historical era.
Coastal tribal treaties
Rosalia Battle
Treaty of Oregon
Frenchtown Battle
Seattle Blockhouse
Walla Walla Council
Nez Perce Retreat
Spokane Plains
Whitman Massacre
5. Write a short descriptive essay answering each of the
following questions:
A) Explain why you think so many pioneers chose
the Willamette River Valley during the mid-19th
century.
B) What were the primary reasons for the Indian
Wars from 1847-1858 in the present-day state of
Washington?
C) Chiefs Kamiakin, Leschi, and Joseph were
strong leaders. In your opinion which one was the
most responsive to the needs of his tribe? Support
your selection.