2.3 Iroquois Confederacy

The Iroquois Confederacy was a powerful Native American alliance formed in the 15th century. Consisting of five (later six) nations, it united previously warring groups under a common purpose of peace and unity, reshaping the political landscape of the Appalachian region.

The confederacy had a complex structure with a Grand Council, clan mothers, and chiefs. It operated on consensus-based decision-making, reflecting Iroquois values of equality and collective governance. This system influenced later political theories and indigenous rights movements.

Origins of Iroquois Confederacy

• The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or "People of the Longhouse," was a powerful Native American alliance that played a significant role in the history of the Appalachian region
• The confederacy was formed in the 15th century, prior to European contact, and consisted of five (later six) Native American nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca (joined by Tuscarora in the 18th century)
• The formation of the confederacy marked a significant shift in the political and social landscape of the Appalachian region, as it brought together previously warring nations under a common purpose of peace and unity

Hiawatha and the Great Peacemaker

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• According to Iroquois oral tradition, the confederacy was founded by the prophet Deganawida, known as the Great Peacemaker, and his disciple Hiawatha
• The Great Peacemaker traveled among the five nations, spreading a message of peace and unity, and convincing them to put aside their differences
• Hiawatha, a skilled orator and leader of the Onondaga nation, helped the Great Peacemaker in his mission by persuading the nations to accept the Great Law of Peace, which laid the foundation for the confederacy

Five Nations united

• The five nations that initially formed the Iroquois Confederacy were the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca
• Each nation had its own distinct culture, language, and territory, but they agreed to come together under a common political structure and set of laws
• The nations were arranged geographically from east to west, with the Mohawk in the east and the Seneca in the west

Purpose of confederacy

• The primary purpose of the Iroquois Confederacy was to maintain peace and unity among the member nations
• The confederacy provided a means for the nations to resolve conflicts and disputes through diplomacy and negotiation, rather than warfare
• The confederacy also served as a means of collective defense against external threats, such as rival Native American groups or European colonizers

Structure of Iroquois Confederacy

• The Iroquois Confederacy had a complex political structure that was designed to ensure balance, stability, and consensus among the member nations
• The structure of the confederacy reflected the Iroquois values of equality, respect, and collective decision-making

Grand Council

• The Grand Council was the primary decision-making body of the Iroquois Confederacy
• It consisted of 50 chiefs (known as sachems) from the five member nations, with each nation having a set number of representatives based on its size and importance
• The Grand Council met annually to discuss matters of common concern, such as trade, diplomacy, and warfare

Clan mothers

• In Iroquois society, women held significant political power and influence
• Each nation was divided into several matrilineal clans, each led by a clan mother
• Clan mothers were responsible for selecting and removing chiefs, as well as advising them on important matters

Chiefs and sachems

• Chiefs (sachems) were the primary political leaders of the Iroquois Confederacy
• They were selected by the clan mothers based on their wisdom, integrity, and ability to build consensus
• Chiefs were responsible for representing their nation's interests in the Grand Council and for implementing the decisions made by the council

Consensus-based decision making

• The Iroquois Confederacy operated on a consensus-based decision-making model
• All decisions made by the Grand Council required the unanimous agreement of all 50 chiefs
• This system ensured that all voices were heard and that decisions reflected the collective will of the confederacy

Iroquois Confederacy culture

• The Iroquois Confederacy had a rich and complex culture that was deeply intertwined with their political and social structures
• Iroquois culture emphasized the importance of community, respect for nature, and the preservation of oral traditions

Longhouse living

• The Iroquois lived in longhouses, which were large, multi-family dwellings that could house up to 50 people
• Longhouses were made of wooden poles and covered with bark, and were arranged in a linear pattern along a central corridor
• Longhouse living reflected the Iroquois values of communal living and shared responsibility

Matrilineal society

• Iroquois society was matrilineal, meaning that family lineage and inheritance were traced through the mother's line
• Women owned the longhouses and the agricultural fields, and had significant political and social power
• Matrilineal social organization ensured that women's voices were heard and respected in Iroquois society

Importance of oral traditions

• The Iroquois placed great importance on oral traditions, which were used to pass down knowledge, history, and cultural values from generation to generation
• Oral traditions included stories, songs, and ceremonies that were performed at important events and gatherings
• The Iroquois believed that oral traditions were a sacred trust that had to be preserved and shared with future generations

Wampum belts

• Wampum belts were an important part of Iroquois culture and diplomacy
• Wampum were small, cylindrical beads made from shells that were woven into intricate patterns on belts
• Wampum belts were used to record important events, treaties, and agreements, and were exchanged as gifts during diplomatic negotiations

Iroquois Confederacy vs European colonizers

• The arrival of European colonizers in the 16th and 17th centuries had a profound impact on the Iroquois Confederacy
• The Iroquois found themselves caught between competing European powers, and had to navigate complex political and economic relationships in order to maintain their sovereignty and way of life

Fur trade

• The fur trade was a major source of economic and political power for the Iroquois Confederacy
• The Iroquois were skilled hunters and trappers, and were able to supply European traders with valuable furs (beaver, fox, etc.) in exchange for European goods (guns, tools, textiles)
• The fur trade led to increased competition and conflict among Native American groups, as well as between the Iroquois and European powers

Jesuit missionaries

• Jesuit missionaries were among the first Europeans to establish contact with the Iroquois Confederacy
• The Jesuits sought to convert the Iroquois to Christianity and to establish missions in their territory
• While some Iroquois converted to Christianity, others resisted the Jesuits' efforts and saw them as a threat to their traditional beliefs and way of life

Beaver Wars

• The Beaver Wars were a series of conflicts between the Iroquois Confederacy and other Native American groups in the 17th century
• The wars were fueled by competition over the fur trade and by the Iroquois' desire to expand their territory and influence
• The Beaver Wars resulted in significant loss of life and territory for many Native American groups, and helped to solidify the Iroquois Confederacy's position as a major power in the region

Shifting alliances

• The Iroquois Confederacy's relationships with European powers were complex and constantly shifting
• At various times, the Iroquois allied with the French, Dutch, and British in order to gain economic and military advantages
• However, the Iroquois also recognized the dangers of becoming too closely aligned with any one European power, and sought to maintain their independence and neutrality whenever possible

Iroquois Confederacy in American Revolution

• The American Revolution posed a significant challenge to the Iroquois Confederacy, as the member nations found themselves divided in their loyalties and alliances
• The Iroquois' involvement in the Revolution had far-reaching consequences for their political and territorial sovereignty

Neutrality attempts

• At the outset of the American Revolution, the Iroquois Confederacy sought to maintain neutrality and avoid being drawn into the conflict
• The Iroquois recognized that the war between the British and the American colonies was not their fight, and that involvement could lead to significant losses and hardship
• However, as the war progressed, it became increasingly difficult for the Iroquois to maintain neutrality, as both sides pressured them to take a stand

Mohawk alliance with British

• The Mohawk nation, under the leadership of Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), ultimately chose to ally with the British during the American Revolution
• Brant believed that the British were more likely to protect Iroquois lands and sovereignty than the American colonies
• The Mohawk fought alongside British forces in several major battles, including the Battle of Oriskany and the Sullivan Expedition

Oneida and Tuscarora alliance with Americans

• The Oneida and Tuscarora nations, in contrast to the Mohawk, chose to ally with the American colonies during the Revolution
• The Oneida and Tuscarora believed that the Americans were more likely to respect their land rights and political autonomy than the British
• The Oneida and Tuscarora provided significant military support to the American cause, fighting in battles such as the Battle of Oriskany and the Battle of Barren Hill

Consequences of divided loyalties

• The Iroquois Confederacy's divided loyalties during the American Revolution had significant consequences for their political and territorial sovereignty
• The war resulted in significant loss of life and property for all of the Iroquois nations, as well as the displacement of many Iroquois communities
• The Iroquois' alliances with the British and Americans also led to internal divisions and conflicts within the confederacy, which weakened its political and military power

Iroquois Confederacy after American Revolution

• The aftermath of the American Revolution brought significant challenges and changes to the Iroquois Confederacy
• The Iroquois had to navigate a new political landscape and fight to maintain their land, sovereignty, and way of life in the face of American expansion and assimilation policies

Treaty of Canandaigua

• The Treaty of Canandaigua, signed in 1794 between the United States government and the Iroquois Confederacy, was an attempt to establish peace and friendship between the two parties
• The treaty recognized the Iroquois' sovereignty over their lands and promised to protect their territory from encroachment by American settlers
• However, the treaty was ultimately not fully honored by the United States government, and the Iroquois continued to face pressure to cede their lands and assimilate into American society

Loss of land and sovereignty

• Despite the promises made in the Treaty of Canandaigua, the Iroquois Confederacy continued to lose land and sovereignty in the decades following the American Revolution
• The United States government pursued a policy of Indian removal, which sought to relocate Native American tribes west of the Mississippi River in order to open up their lands for American settlement
• The Iroquois were not immune to this policy, and many were forced to relocate to reservations in New York, Wisconsin, and Ontario

Assimilation policies

• In addition to land loss and displacement, the Iroquois Confederacy also faced significant pressure to assimilate into American society in the 19th and early 20th centuries
• The United States government pursued a policy of cultural assimilation, which sought to eradicate Native American languages, religions, and traditions in favor of American cultural norms
• Iroquois children were often sent to boarding schools, where they were forbidden from speaking their native languages or practicing their traditional customs

Lasting cultural impact

• Despite the many challenges and losses faced by the Iroquois Confederacy in the aftermath of the American Revolution, their cultural and political legacy continues to endure
• The Iroquois' system of consensus-based decision making and balance of power between nations has been studied and admired by political theorists and activists
• Iroquois art, music, and oral traditions continue to be celebrated and shared by Iroquois communities and the wider public
• The Iroquois Confederacy's struggle for sovereignty and self-determination has also inspired other indigenous groups around the world in their own fights for political and cultural rights