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Study Questions Intermediate:
Why would we know more about Joseph's early life than Seattle's?
What accomplishments and characteristics enabled Seattle to become a leader among his people?
What can these things tell you about the world in which he lived?
Why would Seattle have found it in his interest to develop positive ties with the Americans?
Why did Joseph find it necessary to fight the Americans?
What reasons would have impelled Seattle to become a Catholic convert?
What reasons would have impelled Old Joseph and Young Joseph to renounce Christianity?
Why would Seattle have signed and supported the Treaty of Point Elliott?
In your opinion, is Seattle a suitable or unsuitable namesake for the city named after him? Substantiate your argument.
What western places or objects are named after Old Joseph and Young Joseph or mark important events associated with then? Locate these on a map.
Construct a timeline showing the major events in Nez Perce history from their earliest appearance in the historic record to the present day. What makes the events important enough to be included in the timeline?
Secondary:
Compare Seattle's speeches as recorded by Shaw, Smith and Perry. What internal evidence exists to show that Perry's speech is apocryphal?
Seattle's speech recorded by Smith and Joseph's surrender speech are among the best known examples of Native American oratory. Why would these speeches appeal to Americans of the late 19th century?
Research the Dreamer beliefs propounded by Smohalla. Why would Joseph have found these appealing?
How do present day Native Americans regard Chief Seattle and Chief Joseph? How has this view changed over time?
Compare and contrast the figures of Chief Seattle and Chief Joseph. In what ways are they significantly alike and significantly different?
Research the other Northwestern Native American figures mentioned at the beginning of the essay. How might their contributions be considered as significant as those of Chief Seattle and Chief Joseph?
What factors prevented Chief Seattle and his people from participating in the development of the Puget Sound region in the same manner as the white settlers?
What factors prevented Chief Joseph from succeeding in restoring his people to their homeland despite the favorable impressions he made on so many influential Americans?