key term - Treaty of Walla Walla

Definition

The Treaty of Walla Walla was an agreement made in 1855 between the United States government and several Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest, primarily the Yakama, Umatilla, and Nez Perce. This treaty established the boundaries of designated tribal lands and set forth terms regarding hunting, fishing, and farming rights, while also allowing for the construction of roads and railroads through tribal territories. It aimed to promote peace and regulate relationships between settlers and Indigenous peoples in the region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Walla Walla was signed on June 9, 1855, and is one of several treaties that aimed to establish peaceful relations with Native American tribes in Washington State.
2. Under the treaty, tribes ceded large portions of their ancestral lands to the U.S. government but retained rights to fish and hunt in traditional areas.
3. The treaty also provided for the establishment of schools and support for farming initiatives among the tribes to encourage assimilation into Euro-American culture.
4. The Walla Walla treaty negotiations were significant because they represented a shift towards recognizing Native American rights amidst increasing settler expansion.
5. Conflicts arose in later years over interpretations of the treaty, particularly regarding land rights and resource management, leading to legal battles that continue today.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Walla Walla aim to regulate relationships between Native American tribes and settlers in Washington State?
  • The Treaty of Walla Walla aimed to create a framework for peaceful coexistence by defining tribal land boundaries and securing rights for hunting, fishing, and farming. By formalizing these agreements, it sought to limit conflicts over resources as more settlers moved into the region. Additionally, the treaty acknowledged tribal rights while facilitating road construction and development, intending to balance Indigenous interests with those of incoming settlers.
• Analyze the impact of the Treaty of Walla Walla on the future legal battles surrounding Native American land rights.
  • The Treaty of Walla Walla laid a foundation for future legal conflicts as differing interpretations emerged over time regarding land rights and usage. Many tribes believed that their rights to resources like fishing were guaranteed under the treaty, leading to disputes with state authorities. These conflicts prompted a series of court cases that have continued into modern times, reflecting ongoing struggles for Indigenous sovereignty and resource management.
• Evaluate how the Treaty of Walla Walla reflects broader trends in U.S. policy toward Native Americans during the 19th century.
  • The Treaty of Walla Walla exemplifies broader trends in U.S. policy toward Native Americans that emphasized both negotiation and dispossession during the 19th century. While treaties were intended to formalize relationships and acknowledge Indigenous rights, they often resulted in significant land loss for tribes as settler expansion continued unabated. The mixed outcomes of such treaties highlighted a pattern where promises made were frequently undermined by subsequent legal interpretations and actions taken by both state and federal governments, illustrating a systemic trend of marginalization faced by Native American communities.

Related terms

Reservation: A designated area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, often established through treaties.

Treaty Era: The period during which numerous treaties were negotiated between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, primarily from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century.

Land Allotment: The process through which tribal lands were divided into individual plots for Native American families, often leading to significant loss of tribal land.