Chief Joseph & the Nez Perce War: Genesis

The Wild West Extravaganza

Wild West Josh

Education, History

4.8 • 833 Ratings

🗓️ 13 August 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Nez Perce War erupted in 1877 after decades of broken treaties, stolen land, and violent confrontations between settlers and the Nez Perce people. At the center of this struggle was Chief Joseph, a leader who had spent years trying to keep peace, only to be forced into leading his people on one of the greatest fighting retreats in American history. This is not just a story of betrayal, courage, and survival; it’s about the final stand of a people fighting for their very existence and the man who became their reluctant war leader. Who was Chief Joseph? What was his early life like? And what events led to the Nez Perce War? Buy Me A Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/wildwest Check out the website! https://www.wildwestextra.com/ Email me! https://www.wildwestextra.com/contact/ Free Newsletter! https://wildwestjosh.substack.com/ Join Patreon for bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/wildwestextra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I do not understand why nothing is done for my people.
0:03.2	I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.
0:06.4	Good words do not last long unless they amount to something.
0:10.0	Words do not pay for my dead people.
0:12.5	They do not pay for my country, now overrun by the white men.
0:16.5	They do not protect my father's grave.
0:19.1	They do not pay for all my horses and cattle.
0:22.3	Good words will not give me back my children.
0:25.3	Good words will not make good the promise of your war chief, General Miles.
0:29.7	Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying.
0:33.9	Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take care of themselves.
0:39.0	I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
0:41.6	It makes my heart sick when I remember all of the good words and all of the broken promises.
0:47.3	These are the words of Chief Joseph, a man who, despite his best efforts to keep the peace, was driven to war,
0:55.5	leading his people on one of the greatest fighting retreats in all of American history.
0:59.2	It all began in 1877, after years of broken treaties, stolen land, and unprovoked killings.
1:05.7	And what followed was a 1,400-mile running battle, 750 NespersPers, men, women, and children facing off against
1:13.4	over 2,000 U.S. troops.
1:16.1	Before it was all said and done, hundreds would perish.
1:19.4	And life for the Nes-Persus would never be the same again.
1:23.4	But who was Chief Joseph?
1:25.5	What was his early life like?
	...

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