Question

Joining the Confederacy Discussion

To take a more critical look at the topic of this lesson, answer the following question:

Based on what you learned about Chief Opothleyahola, discuss whether you agree with his resistance movement. Explain your answer and support it with specific details about the resistance movement. You will also need to comment on the post of two classmates.

Answer 1

I agree with Opothleyahola's decision to lead a resistance against the confederacy. Opothleyahola wasn't someone who liked to involve his tribe in the "white man's" war, he wanted to protect his people. Before leading the resistance, he made a pledge to never take up arms against the federal government. Opothleyahola feared that joining the Confederacy would bring Union retribution and a loss of their annuity payments. It was better for his tribe to remain a part of the Union. Although many people lost their lives during the resistance, many lives would have also been lost in the war.