Iroquois Confederacy

Definition

The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, was a political and social alliance of several Native American nations in northeastern North America. It played a significant role in the history of the Americas, particularly in the context of colonial expansion and the wars for empire.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Iroquois Confederacy was formed by the five (later six) nations of the Iroquois: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca, and later the Tuscarora.
2. The Iroquois Confederacy was known for its sophisticated system of governance, with a Grand Council that made decisions on behalf of the member nations.
3. The Iroquois Confederacy played a crucial role in the colonial conflicts of the 17th and 18th centuries, often allying with the British against the French and their Native American allies.
4. During the American Revolution, the Iroquois Confederacy was divided, with some nations supporting the British and others the American colonists, leading to internal conflicts and the eventual decline of the Confederacy's power.
5. The Iroquois Confederacy's political and social structure, as well as its diplomatic and military influence, had a significant impact on the development of the United States government and the concept of federalism.

Review Questions

• Describe the structure and governance of the Iroquois Confederacy.
  • The Iroquois Confederacy was a highly organized political and social alliance of several Native American nations in the northeastern United States. It was governed by a Grand Council, which made decisions on behalf of the member nations. The Confederacy had a sophisticated system of governance, with each nation maintaining its own autonomy while working together on matters of common interest. The Confederacy was known for its use of wampum, beads made from shells, which were used for record-keeping, communication, and ceremonial purposes.
• Explain the role of the Iroquois Confederacy in the colonial conflicts and wars for empire in North America.
  • The Iroquois Confederacy played a significant role in the colonial conflicts and wars for empire in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. Often allying with the British against the French and their Native American allies, the Iroquois Confederacy used its diplomatic and military influence to shape the outcome of these conflicts. The Confederacy's strategic location and its ability to mobilize warriors made it a valuable ally for the colonial powers, and its involvement in these wars had a profound impact on the balance of power in the region.
• Analyze the impact of the American Revolution on the Iroquois Confederacy and its identity.
  • The American Revolution had a significant impact on the Iroquois Confederacy and its identity. During the conflict, the Confederacy was divided, with some nations supporting the British and others the American colonists. This internal division led to conflicts within the Confederacy and the eventual decline of its power and influence. The American Revolution also challenged the Iroquois Confederacy's political and social structure, as the new United States government sought to assert its own authority and undermine the Confederacy's autonomy. This had lasting consequences for the Iroquois Confederacy, as it struggled to maintain its identity and sovereignty in the face of the changing political landscape of North America.

Related terms

Haudenosaunee: The self-designation of the Iroquois Confederacy, meaning 'People of the Longhouse'.

Wampum: Beads made from white and purple shells used by the Iroquois Confederacy for record-keeping, communication, and ceremonial purposes.

Great Peacemaker: A legendary figure credited with founding the Iroquois Confederacy and establishing its system of governance.