Answer:
The controversy was the White men's attempts to take over the land of the Nez Perce people. This encroachment of the native Indians' lands by the white settlers led to the war between the Indians and the American government.
Explanation:
The United States' government's forcible removal of the Nez Perce people from their original land in the Oregon Territory to a reservation in Idaho led to a strong resistance from the Indians. Under the leadership of Chief Joseph, they resisted the white settlers' attempts, fighting tooth and nail for their homeland. But they could't last long against the more dominating and advanced army. They surrendered in 1877, after Chief Joseph gave an impassioned speech about getting tired and the mass loss of his people. This speech "I Will Fight No More Forever" shows the chief's refusal to inflict more pain and suffering to his people, thus ending the war with their surrender. He would rather just surrender if it meant he'll save some lives and not inflict more pain on his people.
