Iroquois Confederacy
What is the Iroquois Confederacy?
The Iroquois Confederacy is a North American confederation of indigenous peoples, it is also known as the Iroquois League or the Five Nations. They call themselves the Haudenosaunee, or the people of the longhouse and they lived in upper New York state. (3 & 1) The members are the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and the Seneca. In 1722, the Tuscarora joined and made it the Six Nations. The league was formed by Deganawidah between 1570 and 1600 to stand together against invasions and to abandon cannibalism. (1)
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Each tribe chose one chief to speak for the tribe, and these chiefs came together once a year to talk about the tribes's concerns. The league functioned well for generations, until the American Revolution, when the confederacy nearly collapsed. Now there are over 50,000 Iroquois in the Six Nations reserves in the US. (2)
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Legend
According to legends, this is how the Iroquois confederacy was formed. Between 1359 and 1600, there was a cannibal Onondaga chief called Todadaho. (1) His hair had snakes tangled in it and he ate out of bowls made of the skulls of his victims. He saw and knew everything, and he could kill with his looks. During these dark times, there were two heroes, Deganawidah and Hiawatha. Deganawidah was from Huron, but he travelled among the Iroquois. When he arrived at the violent Onondaga villages, he watched the people cook their victims from a hole in the roof. When one of the barbarians saw the stranger's face reflecting in the cooking pot, he thought it was his own face. He immediately left the practice, thinking that the beauty of his face was incompatible to the horrendous practice of cannibalism. When he left, he met Deganawidah, who shared his words of peace and righteousness. Deganawidah named the man Hiawatha, and he helped Deganawidah spread the message of peace to Todadaho and the rest of the Iroquois chiefs. When Hiawatha had convinced everyone, Deganawidah established the Iroquois confederacy on the banks of Onondaga Lake. Deganawidah is now known as the peacemaker. (3)
Culture
The society within the Iroquois Confederacy was laid back, they only had minimum rules that were easily followed. (3) A triple wall of stocked wood protected 300-600 people per village. These people lived in so called 'longhouses', and up to 50 people lived in every longhouse. Elm bark was their main resource, it was used for building longhouses, canoes and containers. (3) Every 15 years the village would run out of resources and the soil would lose its fertility, so the tribe would find a new place to live and settle there. (2)
Diet These indigenous people were hunters and gatherers, the men were in charge of hunting while women were in charge of the farming. The men went hunting in bark canoes using traditional weapons such as the bow and arrow. Women had limited farming supplies, so they used simple tools to harvest their grains. (3) Corn is one of the main resources, they used it for nearly every meal. They also collected a wide variety of nuts and roots and they ate 30 different types of meat. Most were eaten fresh, but some were roasted or dried. Festivals There are six main festivals in the Iroquois culture, most festivals are about celebrating times of the year. Trade The Six Nations had a dominant force in the fur trade. Their main trading partner were the Dutch, but that changed into the British in 1660. (3) |
Structure
The Iroquois Confederacy saw themselves as a bundle of arrows, because a single arrow is broken easily, but a bundle of arrows stays strong. They worked together to protect their combined territory.
Chiefs It was structured so that there were 50 clan chiefs (sachems) that met up once a year in the main Onondaga village to discuss about concerns and questions there tribes had. The chief was chosen by his/her people, fifteen chiefs were from the Onondaga tribe, ten from Cayuga, nine from Oneida, nine from the Mohawk and eight from the Seneca. They were chosen by courage, hunting skills, speaking ability or their ability to heal the sick. The chief could be replaced at all times if he didn't fulfill their requirements. All members were expected to act in benefit of the whole tribe regardless of age or agenda. In case of a disagreement between the chiefs, each tribe was allowed to make a independent decision. The Mohawk was responsible for protecting the east and the Seneca the west. (2) |
European Influences
The European culture threatened the traditional Iroquois culture, at first the Six Nations resented most European ideas and techniques. But, in 1798, the Quaker delegation worked among the Seneca and taught them how to read and write, as well as modern farming techniques. However, the Iroquois Confederacy also ended up selling large amounts of their land to Europeans for useful trading goods. (3)
Disease and War
Sadly, the Europeans didn’t just bring a “civilized” lifestyle, they also brought disease. The diseases they brought over after spending weeks on boats killed thousands of indigenous people. However, disease wasn’t the only reason why thousands of indigenous people were killed. War was also a factor, but the Iroquois Confederacy also learned from these wars. Due to the advanced fighting techniques of the Europeans, the Iroquois Confederacy was forced to develop better fighting tactics as well. Evidence that their weapons have developed were also found, first they used stone, bone, shell and wood, and later they used metal axes and knives. They also used to use animal skins which eventually changed to woven cloth due to European influence. Not only did their tactics change, but also the motives for fighting. They used to fight for revenge or to obtain goods, now they were fighting for economic advantage, seeking control over hunting Grunds. (3)
Disease and War
Sadly, the Europeans didn’t just bring a “civilized” lifestyle, they also brought disease. The diseases they brought over after spending weeks on boats killed thousands of indigenous people. However, disease wasn’t the only reason why thousands of indigenous people were killed. War was also a factor, but the Iroquois Confederacy also learned from these wars. Due to the advanced fighting techniques of the Europeans, the Iroquois Confederacy was forced to develop better fighting tactics as well. Evidence that their weapons have developed were also found, first they used stone, bone, shell and wood, and later they used metal axes and knives. They also used to use animal skins which eventually changed to woven cloth due to European influence. Not only did their tactics change, but also the motives for fighting. They used to fight for revenge or to obtain goods, now they were fighting for economic advantage, seeking control over hunting Grunds. (3)
How did the Iroquois Confederacy Influence America?
Politics
The Iroquois confederacy is the first government in the Middle East, they had a democratic system. It is also the oldest constitution in the world, and the U.S. constitution is based of the Iroquois confederacy. Without the Iroquois Confederacy, America might never have had a democratic system which is structured the way it is today. American Revolution The Iroquois Confederacy also played a important role in the American Revolution. At the beginning the Iroquois confederacy stayed neutral, but they were pressured by the English to choose a side. (4) The Iroquois confederacy split into two groups: the Onondaga, the Mohawk, the Seneca and the Cayuga staid loyal to the British, while Oneida and Tuscarora supported the Americans. That way the Americans gained more power and the needed support to win the battle against the British. (2) |
The Iroquois Confederacy Today
In 1990 there were only around 50,000 Iroquois left alone in the US, 5,000 Iroquois live in Canada. After the American Revolution the Iroquois Confederacy lost all their land because they weren't included in the New Treaty.
Reservations
Luckily, the Americans set aside reserves for the Six Nations to live on freely. The Six Nation reserve is open to all members of the confederacy except for the Oneida, who have a reservation in New York. Overall, the Six Nations have 10 reservations, although they mostly live in urban areas, and only about 11,800 people live in the reservations. Seven reserves are in New York State, one in Wisconsin and two in Canada. The Onondaga reservation serves as the capital of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Current Lifestyle
Many Mohawks and Oneida work as structural steel workers, and in 1993 the Oneida even opened a gambling casino. Even though the members of the six nation still celebrate most of their festivals, the majority are Christian or followers of Handsome Lake, a Seneca profit of the late 18th century. (6)
Reservations
Luckily, the Americans set aside reserves for the Six Nations to live on freely. The Six Nation reserve is open to all members of the confederacy except for the Oneida, who have a reservation in New York. Overall, the Six Nations have 10 reservations, although they mostly live in urban areas, and only about 11,800 people live in the reservations. Seven reserves are in New York State, one in Wisconsin and two in Canada. The Onondaga reservation serves as the capital of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Current Lifestyle
Many Mohawks and Oneida work as structural steel workers, and in 1993 the Oneida even opened a gambling casino. Even though the members of the six nation still celebrate most of their festivals, the majority are Christian or followers of Handsome Lake, a Seneca profit of the late 18th century. (6)
Bibliography
(1) The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Iroquois Confederacy (American Indian Confederation)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 10 May 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/294660/Iroquois-Confederacy>.
(2) "Iroquois Confederacy." Infoplease. Infoplease. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/iroquois-confederacy-the-iroquois-today.html>.
(3) Hall, Loretta. "Iroquois Confederacy." Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Iroquois-Confederacy.html>.
(4) United States. National Park Service. "The Six Nations Confederacy During the American Revolution." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 04 May 2014. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/fost/historyculture/the-six-nations-confederacy-during-the-american-revolution.htm>.
(5) "Internet History Sourcebooks." Internet History Sourcebooks. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/iroquois.asp>.
(6) "Iroquois Confederacy." Infoplease. Infoplease. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/iroquois-confederacy-the-iroquois-today.html>.
"Iroquois Confederacy Reading Comprehension." MrNussbaumcom FREE Math Games Spelling Games Teacher Tools Printables and Much More Iroquois Confederacy Reading Comprehension Comments. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://mrnussbaum.com/readingcomp/iroquoiscomp/>.
"[ M U L T I C U L T U R E ]." [ M U L T I C U L T U R E ]. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://multiculture.com/>.
Iroquois Confederacy: Seed for the U.S. Constitution. Web. 11 May 2014. <https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachervision.com%2Fnative-americans%2Fprintable%2F44311.html>.
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(2) "Iroquois Confederacy." Infoplease. Infoplease. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/iroquois-confederacy-the-iroquois-today.html>.
(3) Hall, Loretta. "Iroquois Confederacy." Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Iroquois-Confederacy.html>.
(4) United States. National Park Service. "The Six Nations Confederacy During the American Revolution." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 04 May 2014. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/fost/historyculture/the-six-nations-confederacy-during-the-american-revolution.htm>.
(5) "Internet History Sourcebooks." Internet History Sourcebooks. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/iroquois.asp>.
(6) "Iroquois Confederacy." Infoplease. Infoplease. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/iroquois-confederacy-the-iroquois-today.html>.
"Iroquois Confederacy Reading Comprehension." MrNussbaumcom FREE Math Games Spelling Games Teacher Tools Printables and Much More Iroquois Confederacy Reading Comprehension Comments. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://mrnussbaum.com/readingcomp/iroquoiscomp/>.
"[ M U L T I C U L T U R E ]." [ M U L T I C U L T U R E ]. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://multiculture.com/>.
Iroquois Confederacy: Seed for the U.S. Constitution. Web. 11 May 2014. <https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachervision.com%2Fnative-americans%2Fprintable%2F44311.html>.
Bélanger, Claude. "Iroquois Confederacy." The Quebec History Encyclopedia. Marianopolis College. Web. 08 May 2014. <http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/IroquoisConfederacy.htm>.
"Iroquois Confederacy." Native American Netroots. 16 Mar. 2010. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/420>.
Murphy, Gerald. "Modern History Sourcebook: The Constitution of the Iroquois Confederacy." Fordham University. Web. 08 May 2014. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/iroquois.asp>.
"The Six Nations of the Iroquois." The Six Nations of the Iroquois. Web. 08 May 2014. <http://tuscaroras.com/pages/history/six_nations.html>.
"What Is the Iroquois Confederacy?" What Is the Iroquois Confederacy? Web. 08 May 2014. <http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_Vol_1/Learnabou_d.html>.