Ray+G


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

I beleive that the american army cavalry was most responsible in the Nez Perce Retreat. They forced the Nez perce tribe into a new place they don't know so the new pioneers can move in as they please. This native american tribe didn't have a choice. They hade to either leave or die.

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

The Nez perce tribe headed by Cheif Joseph were forced by the American army calvary to move. The Nez Perce left in 1877 with 150 warriors and 550 women, children and old people, but finished at bear paw Mt with only 79 warriors and 350 women, children and old people. They traveled over 1600 miles to end up with no success. The They started of in the wallowa mts and ended in Bear paw Mt;not the place the army wanted them to move. a war broke out, and at the end, Cheif joseph Gave his famous speech "I will fight no more forever". He never fought again. He died in 1904.



I will fight no more forever
[|**Toohulhulsote**]** is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. ****He who led the young** ** men is dead. **
 * I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. **[|**Looking Glass**]** is dead. **
 * It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are--perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. **

[]

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

Economics, history and politics are 3 main factors in the nez perce retreat. There was gold near the Nez Perce settlements. Because people are naturally greeedy, the pioneers went to make there fortune. Also, the land was **rich** with animals, that furs were used for blankets and clothing. As we know, Americans and the **__N__**ative **__A__**mericans have had bad pasts, like forcing the NA's kids to go into school. True, the americans thought they were helping the NA by teaching them class and etiquette, to get away from all there silly, crude traditions. But the NA thought the same about them and they didn't do anything. There have been many wars between the two groups.

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

Economics was bigger than the others because people are addicted to wealth. we want the most money we can make so we can be happier. That's why the NA were forced out for no reason other than greed. Because of how gold was rumored to be there, they kicked the NA into another place they aren't used to. Imagine us in their place and someone doing it to us. Cheif Joseph didn't put up much of a struggle, but that doesn't show how he really feels about the move.The were used to hunting a specific type of animals but their fur was more valuable to the Americans apparently.

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

If the pioneers never found gold then the conflict could have been avoided, or at least delayed. Then the white settlers wouldn't have gone to make their fortune, so the army wouldn't have pushed the Nez Perce for the greed of pioneers. Then the NA wouldn't have to stop what they were doing so they pioneers could make a fortune of something somewhat worthless to them. To them they were making a fuss over nothing.


 * What sources of information have you used? **

[] [] Cheif Joseph, [|www.mce.k12tn.net] ,[|www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/famous/cheif_joseph.htm] Cheif Joseph, [|www.linecamp.com], 1999, Freinds of the US Freedom Documents. May 20th [|www.linecamp.com/museums/americanwest/western-names/cheifjoseph/cheif_joseph.htm]