Whitman Massacre Multiple Perspectives

Non-Native arrivals to the Pacific Northwest came in this order:

• first came explorers, then fur traders, next missionaries, and then lots of settlers.

• first came Chinook, then came the Hudson Bay Company, next fur traders, and then explorers

• first came explorers, then missionaries, next lots of settlers, and then fur traders

We learned this week about a person who has a number of schools named for him in the Pacific Northwest, AND in his home state of New York. He was

• Robert Gray

• Captain James Cook

• Dr. Marcus Whitman

• Ranald MacDonald

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman went the the Oregon Country to .

• teach the fur trappers about Christianity

• teach the Native Americans about Christianity

• build a mission at Fort Astoria

• help the Makah find more efficient ways to hunt grey whales

1) A number of schools in Washington and Oregon are named after Marcus Whitman.

2) One of Washington State's two allowed statues in Statuary Hall, Washington D.C. represents Marcus Whitman.

These two facts show that

• Marcus Whitman is NOT considered by many to be an important person is Pacific Northwest history.

• Marcus Whitman IS considered by many to be an important person is Pacific Northwest history.

• Marcus Whitman meant to do well, but was intolerant of other cultures.

• There is a Marcus Whitman school in South Kitsap.

Which were examples of how the Whitmans did not respect the Cayuse culture? Select all that apply.

• Whitmans insisted that Cayuse trade at the forts, not at the Chinook trade gatherings.

• Whitmans insisted that Cayuse give up following animals to hunt, and instead must stay on a farm all year.

• Whitmans did not follow the Cayuse of land ownership, and used fences to keep out the Cayuse animals.

• Whitmans were horrified when the Cayuse showed fondness for their baby.

Which were examples of how the Whitmans did not respect the Cayuse culture? Select all that apply.

• Whitmans insisted that the Cayuse dress like white Americans, especially if they were to enter the mission house.

• Dr. Whitman healed the white children who got the measles, but refused to treat the Cayuse children.

• Whitmans insisted that the Cayuse plant crops, and farm like white Americans.

• Whitmans made use of fences, locks, and curtains.

• Whitmans thought that any way of life that did not look like a white American was uncivilized.

Cultural differences created tensions before the measles outbreak ignited the conflict. Besides culture, what else contributed to Cayuse resentments before the attack on the mission?

(Select the two best answers.)

• the arrival of the U.S. army

• the arrival of thousands of new white settlers

• the dispute between the U.S. and Britain over claims to the Oregon Country

• The Whitmans paying more attention to the Oregon Trail travelers than to the Cayuse.

Which side retaliated for serious mistreatment, but killed people who might not have been responsible for the mistreatment? (select all that apply)

• the leadership of the Cayuse tribe

• five young Cayuse men, not listening to their elders

• the American army of volunteers, responding to the call for help by the white settlers in the region

• Marcus Whitman

It used to be that when students learned about the Whitman massacre, they were told that the Cayuse attacked the mission, but weren't told about the background about all the things that had caused tensions between the Cayuse and the Whitmans.

The way that students used to be taught about the attack on the Whitman mission . . . (select all that apply)

• did not recognize multiple perspectives

• might have contributed to stereotypes and discrimination against all Native Americans

• was very one-sided

• made it seem like the white settlers were only good

• was very thorough and complete

Is Marcus Whitman a good choice for a school name in the Pacific Northwest?

NO, because ... (select all 3 that would fit a "NO" answer)

• Whitman's intolerance of the Cayuse culture might not reflect the values of modern-day citizens.

• The measles epidemic was not his fault. He tried to save everyone.

• Whitman's insistence that the Cayuse dress, eat, farm, and work like white Americans led to serious tensions between the Cayuse and the white settlers.

• Whitman's treatment of the Cayuse contributed to the outbreak of the Indian Wars, and the devastation of the Cayuse Tribe.