Middle School Unit 3 US History

Civil War and Reconstruction: Indian Treaties: Goals and Effects

Historical Era

1850 - 1877: Treaty Era

STI Unit Overview

This unit examines the relations between Chief Joseph and the United States government during the Treaty Era. The Level One newsletter introduces students to Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce struggle to keep their homelands intact. Level one includes a newsletter and response questions. In Level Two, students will use Chief Joseph's "An Indian's View of Indian Affairs" to explore the history of the Nez Perce from first contact through Chief Joseph's placement on a reservation in Eastern Washington, and compare maps of the tribal homelands of the Nez Perce and their allocated reservations in Idaho and Oklahoma. Students will then create a story board illustrating their understanding of significant events in the struggles between the Nez Perce and the US Government. In Level Three, students will use primary sources and other writings to explore the causes of conflict between the Nez Perce and the United States government regarding attempts to place the Nez Perce on reservation lands. Students will use their research to complete the Causes of Conflict CBA.

STI Essential Questions

  1. What were the political, economic, and cultural forces that led to the treaties?

Standards for Social Studies, English Language Arts, Environmental and Sustainability Education, and Social Emotional Learning

OSPI-Developed Assessments for Social Studies

Unit Developed By

Jerry Price