The 1863 Nez Perce Treaty was an agreement made between the U.S. government and the Nez Perce tribe, which significantly reduced their land and altered their way of life. This treaty is notable for its contentious nature, as it was signed under pressure and later repudiated by many tribal leaders. The Nez Perce people, who originally inhabited a large region of the Pacific Northwest, found their territory drastically diminished due to this treaty.
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The 1863 Nez Perce Treaty ceded about 90% of the Nez Perce traditional territory to the United States, reducing their land from approximately 7.5 million acres to just 750,000 acres.
Many Nez Perce leaders did not fully understand the implications of the treaty when they signed it, leading to significant backlash from the tribe after realizing they were misled.
The U.S. Senate ultimately ratified the treaty in 1865, which intensified tensions between the Nez Perce and white settlers who began moving into the ceded lands.
The betrayal felt by the Nez Perce regarding this treaty contributed to rising hostilities and conflicts in subsequent years, particularly leading up to the Nez Perce War.
The legacy of the 1863 treaty is significant as it exemplifies the broader pattern of treaties made with Native American tribes that were often broken or ignored by the U.S. government.
Review Questions
How did the signing of the 1863 Nez Perce Treaty impact the relationship between the Nez Perce tribe and the U.S. government?
The signing of the 1863 Nez Perce Treaty led to a strained relationship between the Nez Perce tribe and the U.S. government due to its coercive nature and drastic reduction of their land. Many tribal leaders felt misled about what they were agreeing to, which fueled distrust towards U.S. authorities. This resentment ultimately contributed to rising tensions that would later manifest in armed conflict during the Nez Perce War.
Discuss how the 1863 Nez Perce Treaty reflects broader trends in U.S. policies towards Native American tribes during the 19th century.
The 1863 Nez Perce Treaty is emblematic of broader trends in U.S. policies towards Native Americans during the 19th century, which often involved forcibly removing tribes from their ancestral lands through treaties that were signed under duress or false pretenses. These treaties frequently resulted in loss of land, cultural disruption, and increased conflict between settlers and indigenous populations. The pattern of breaking treaties and failing to uphold promises made to tribes showcases a troubling aspect of U.S. expansionist policies at that time.
Evaluate the long-term consequences of the 1863 Nez Perce Treaty on the Nez Perce tribe's cultural identity and sovereignty.
The long-term consequences of the 1863 Nez Perce Treaty have profoundly affected the tribe's cultural identity and sovereignty. The significant reduction in their territory led to challenges in maintaining traditional practices, as many aspects of their way of life were tied to their ancestral lands. Moreover, ongoing conflicts stemming from this treaty have resulted in a struggle for recognition and self-determination for the Nez Perce people, which continues to influence their advocacy for rights and preservation of cultural heritage today.
A conflict that arose from the U.S. government's attempts to force the Nez Perce onto a smaller reservation, leading to armed resistance in 1877.
Reservation System: The policy established by the U.S. government to allocate specific areas of land for Native American tribes, often resulting in loss of traditional lands.
Treaty of Fort Laramie: An 1851 agreement that established boundaries for various Native American tribes, including the Nez Perce, and aimed to maintain peace among tribes and settlers.