Karlee's+The+Whitman+Massacure


 * What is your //general// belief about who or what is most responsible for causing the conflict?**

I think the Indians are most responsible for causing the conflict because they weren't aware that Marcus was trying to heal everyone. He wasn't being racist. He wasn't trying to poison people, he was still a practicing physician. That's why I think the Indians were the most responsible for causing conflict.

**What is the relevant background information (i.e. who, what, when, where)?**

The Indians, Whitman's, and white people were involved in this conflict. It was mostly held in Walla Walla, Washington. It was November 29, 1847 at the time on when the war started. There was a lot of misunderstanding. So it evolved into a war.

**What were 3 factors that helped cause the conflict (politics, economics, geography, history)?**

How this became a conflict, was when the Indians misinterpreted what Dr. Whitman was doing. He tried really hard to treat both, with only limited supplies. The Indians thought that he was poisoning them. Since most whites were alive and more of the Indians were dying. So then November 29th 1847 two Indians came in the house killed Dr. Whitman. Than a few minutes after they shot at the house killing Narcissa Whitman. Then they came back into the house killing 14 year old Francis Sager. Then broke everything in the house windows, doors etc. Peter Skene Ogden a chief factor had to go rescue 50 captives. He offered a trade for the captives. Cayuse gave them up for 400$ in items. But the two indians that lead for the murder of Dr. Whitman were never found and killed.

**Explain why one factor is more important than the others.**

The epidemic is what started it. If it wasn't for the sickness the Indians wouldn't of thought Dr. Whitman was only treating white people. Also the whole story was based on it.

**How could the conflict have been avoided?**

I could have been avoided by being smart and asking questions. Instead of going in and murdering someone, that could have saved millions of people from the epidemic. Also it could have been avoided by not being slow on Whitman's part because he took a long time to teach the Cayuse. So they got more aggravated and curious. Since he was possible teaching more white or focusing on more of his work. So they took it the wrong way.


 * What sources of information have you used? **

Lambert, A. Dale and Clark, W. Dustin. Washington; A State of Contrasts. East Wenatchee, Washington: Directed Media, Inc, 2008. In-Text: 200-201.

"Washington State Legends." Legendsofamerica. August 2007. National Park Service. 5/21/2009 http://www.legendsofamerica.com/wa-whitmanmassacre.html

Gibson, Elizabeth. "The Whitman Massacre." Suite101. June 22, 2002. The Old West. June 4,2009. http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_west/92928