Historical Context Of Chief Joseph's Speech

558 Words3 Pages

Leader, Chief Joseph, presented his feelings about moving his tribe and his surrender in the battle they fought on the way to Canada. His tribe were also people who followed him for peace. They were told to move to a reservation because of conflict. He tried to avoid violence and was a man of peace. Although people within his tribe dissented, they were a tribe that followed him for his peace. Chief Joseph's speech was meaningful, and mostly made due to his surrendering. It was also made because he wanted his opponent to sympathize with him. The historical context of this speech starts with Chief Joseph. A man who avoided violence and wanted his people to live happily. It was spoken on October 5, 1877. Given to General Nelson and General Howard, who ended up attacking them in battle until Chief Joseph surrendered, was purposely made for sympathy. He wanted them to relate to him, to know how his tribe was living, and wanted them to feel bad for him. His tone was sad, which also concluded he wanted sympathy. Fighting the United state's army hurt them the most. There were many problems with Chief Joseph's tribe. They were suffering from starvation, and they also were cold with …show more content…

Chief Joseph, of course, was the leader of this tribe. Him and his people had to move to a reservation in Idaho or face retribution. He went to Canada with his people to have a peaceful tribe, hoping to find amnesty there. They traveled 1700 miles. Some of his men dissented, and killed four white men, causing more conflict. On their way to Canada they ran into a battle with the U.S. They were forced to surrender due to conditions of Chief Joseph's people. It was a hard decision for him to make, but all of his tribe was dying off. He surrendered to General Nelson A. miles on October 5, 1877 in the Bear Paw mountains of Montana. Which was 40 miles from the Canadian border. Chief Joseph disliked the idea of surrendering, but it was something that they had to