Iroquois Constitution's Influence On The Declaration Of Independence

The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, is believed to have influenced the Declaration of Independence. The Iroquois Confederacy, consisting of six nations, formed a multi-state government while maintaining their own individual governance. This stacked-government model is thought to have influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution, providing a real-life example of political concepts they wanted to adopt. However, some scholars dispute the extent of the Iroquois influence, pointing to differences between the two forms of government and arguing that the influence was not direct. In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on democratic principles incorporated into the U.S. Constitution.

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The Iroquois Confederacy's influence on the US Constitution is debated

The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Six Nations, is a union of several Native American nations, including the Mohawks, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, the Oneida, and the Seneca. In 1722, the Tuscarora nation joined the Iroquois, who refer to themselves as the Haudenosaunee, meaning "people of the longhouse".

The Iroquois Confederacy is governed by the Great Law of Peace, also known as Kaianere'kó:wa, which serves as their constitution. The law was represented by symbols on wampum belts, conceived by the Great Peacemaker and his spokesman Hiawatha.

The influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the US Constitution is a subject of debate among scholars. Some argue that the US Constitution was influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy's political system and democratic principles. For example, in 1988, the US Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging the impact of the Iroquois Confederacy on the US Constitution. The resolution stated:

> "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles incorporated into the constitution itself."

Furthermore, some historians argue that the Iroquois Confederacy provided a real-life example of certain political concepts that the framers of the US Constitution were interested in adopting. For instance, the Iroquois Confederacy's multi-state government structure, with each nation maintaining its own leadership while uniting under a Grand Council of Chiefs, may have influenced the framers' thinking on federalism.

Additionally, there are claims that the democratic ideals of the Kaianere'kó:wa provided significant inspiration to Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and other framers of the US Constitution. Franklin's printing company reproduced a 1744 speech by an Iroquois leader urging union among the American colonies, and he referenced the Iroquois Confederacy when proposing his "Plan of Union" in 1754.

However, others dispute the extent of the Iroquois Confederacy's influence on the US Constitution. They point to differences between the two forms of government, such as the Iroquois Confederacy's consensus-based decision-making process, which included only male chiefs who gained their positions through a combination of blood descent and selection by female relatives, in contrast to the original US Constitution's majority rule and denial of suffrage to women. Additionally, it is argued that the similarities between the two documents can be explained by other factors, such as the influence of European political thought and the Radical Whig political agenda.

In conclusion, while some argue that the Iroquois Confederacy's political system and democratic principles influenced the US Constitution, others emphasize the differences between the two forms of government and the influence of other factors. The debate surrounding the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the US Constitution highlights the complex interplay of various cultural and political influences that shaped the founding of the United States.

The Iroquois Constitution was orally recorded and later translated into English

The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, was orally recorded and later translated into English. The laws were first recorded and transmitted using wampum, shell-bead belts that encoded the message in a sequence of pictograms. The pictograms served as mnemonic devices for storytellers. The original five nations ratified this constitution near modern-day Victor, New York, and the sixth nation, the Tuscarora, was added in 1722.

In the 18th century, an English translation of the Great Law of Peace was created. However, it was not until the 19th century that the law was translated into multiple languages, including English. The delay in translation may have been due to the complexity and depth of the oral constitution, which consisted of 117 articles.

Despite the eventual translation of the Iroquois Constitution into English, there are still disputes about its influence on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Some scholars argue that the democratic principles and political systems of the Iroquois Confederacy influenced the founding documents of the United States. This influence is said to be evident in the concepts of federalism, individual liberty, and the separation of powers.

However, others refute this claim, pointing to a lack of evidence in constitutional debate records and the existence of European antecedents for democratic institutions. They argue that the Iroquois Constitution and the original U.S. Constitution differ significantly, such as in their approaches to suffrage and decision-making processes.

Regardless of the extent of its influence, the Iroquois Constitution, with its emphasis on peace and consensus, has been recognised as a significant achievement in its own right, worthy of historical recognition and study.

The Iroquois Constitution and the US Constitution have key differences

The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, and the US Constitution have key differences. The Iroquois Constitution was an oral constitution represented by symbols on wampum belts, which were later translated into English in the 19th century. It was formed by uniting five nations: the Mohawks, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, the Oneida, and the Seneca. In 1722, the sixth nation, the Tuscarora, joined the Iroquois Confederacy.

The Iroquois Constitution provided for matriarchal appointment, while the US Constitution provides for the general election of lawmakers. The Iroquois Constitution allowed for life terms or terms during good behavior, whereas the US Constitution imposes fixed terms. The Iroquois Constitution assumes a state religion, while the US Constitution is neutral among religions. The Iroquois Constitution treats the tribes unequally, whereas the US Constitution treats states equally. The Iroquois Constitution is filled with specific verbal incantations to be recited at particular times, while the US Constitution prescribes a single oath—that of the president.

While there are some similarities between the two constitutions, such as the prohibition of multiple office holdings, this idea was not derived from the Iroquois Constitution. Instead, it was a key plank in the "Radical Whig" political agenda, to which most of the American Founders subscribed.

Despite these differences, some historians argue that the Iroquois Constitution influenced the US Constitution. In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging this influence. The resolution stated that the confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles incorporated into the US Constitution.

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The Iroquois Constitution influenced the spread of democracy

The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, has been recognised as a source of influence for the spread of democracy. The Iroquois Confederacy, comprising six nations, formed a multi-state government while maintaining their own individual governance. This stacked-government model is thought to have influenced the thinking of constitutional framers.

The Iroquois Constitution was adopted as early as the 12th century or as late as the 17th century. It united five nations into a League of Nations, or the Iroquois Confederacy, with each nation maintaining its own leadership. The concept was based on peace and consensus rather than fighting. The six nations were the Mohawks, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora.

The Iroquois Constitution provided a real-life example of political concepts that the framers of the U.S. Constitution were interested in adopting. For instance, the Iroquois Constitution's federal structure, notions of individual liberty, and separation of powers may have influenced the U.S. Constitution. The Iroquois Constitution's emphasis on unification through mutual defence and its conduct of foreign affairs also provided a model for federalism.

However, it is important to note that the influence of the Iroquois Constitution on the spread of democracy, particularly in the context of the U.S. Constitution, is a subject of debate among scholars. Some argue that there are significant differences between the two forms of government, and that the influence may have been overstated. Nonetheless, in 1988, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the democratic principles incorporated into the U.S. Constitution.

The Iroquois Constitution inspired the US Constitution's federal structure

The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, is the oral constitution of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois Confederacy was formed when the Great Peacemaker united five nations: the Mohawks, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Oneidas, and the Senecas. In 1722, the Tuscarora nation joined the Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee, bringing the total number of nations to six. Each nation maintained its own leadership and governance, while also uniting under a multi-state government. This stacked-government model is thought to have influenced the federal structure of the US Constitution.

The Great Law of Peace was represented by symbols on wampum belts, which functioned as mnemonic devices for storytellers. The laws were first recorded and transmitted by means of these wampum shell-bead belts, which encoded the message in a sequence of pictograms. The constitution was later translated into English and other languages in the 19th century. The laws, or constitution, are divided into 117 articles.

The Iroquois Constitution provided a real-life example of some of the political concepts that the framers of the US Constitution were interested in adopting. For example, both documents forbid multiple office holding. However, there are also many differences between the two constitutions. The Iroquois Constitution provides for matriarchal appointment, while the US Constitution provides for the general election of lawmakers. The Iroquois Constitution assumes a state religion, while the US Constitution is neutral among religions. The Iroquois Constitution treats the tribes unequally, while the US Constitution treats states equally. The Iroquois Constitution is filled with specific verbal incantations to be recited at particular times, while the US Constitution prescribes a single oath—that of the president.

In 1987, Oren Lyons, a Faithkeeper for the Iroquois Confederacy, spoke before the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, raising awareness of the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the US Constitution. In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging this influence. The resolution stated that "the confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles incorporated into the constitution itself." It also reaffirmed "the continuing government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States established in the Constitution," recognizing the legitimacy and sovereignty of Native nations and their governments.

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