Isabella Carter
The influence of the Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, on the US Constitution is a highly debated topic. While some scholars argue that the US Constitution was influenced by the political system and federalist principles of the Iroquois Confederacy, others refute this claim, highlighting differences in their forms of government and pointing to European antecedents for democratic institutions. The Iroquois Confederacy, comprising the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and later the Tuscarora nations, had a federal structure with individual tribes handling their affairs but uniting for common interests. This inspired Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union, and the founders of the US Constitution admired how the Iroquois legislated their affairs. The Iroquois' focus on peace, equity, and justice also aligned with the core values of the emerging US democracy. However, critics argue that the influence was minimal, and the constitutional framers viewed indigenous people as inferior. The debate highlights the complex history of indigenous relations and the ongoing quest for a more inclusive democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federalist principles | Individual governance and freedom |
| Democratic principles | Peace, equity, and justice |
| Separation of powers | Sustainability |
| Individual liberty | Redistribution of wealth |
| Unification through mutual defense |
Explore related products
![50 Events That Shaped American Indian History: An Encyclopedia of the American Mosaic [2 volumes]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/912gRDfigZL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The Great Law of Peace
The exact date of the events is not known, but it is thought to date back to the late 12th century (c. 1190) and may have been adopted as early as the 12th century or as late as the 17th. The Great Law of Peace was the constitution of the Iroquois Confederation, and it may have influenced the US Constitution.
In 1988, the US Congress passed a resolution acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the US Constitution. The resolution stated that the "continuing government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States established in the Constitution", which reaffirmed the legitimacy and sovereignty of Native nations and their governments.
The influence of the Iroquois Constitution on the US Constitution is disputed by scholars. Some argue that the US Constitution was a synthesis of various forms of political organization familiar to the founders, including the Iroquois Confederation. Others point to a lack of evidence in US constitutional debate records and examples of European antecedents for democratic institutions.
Mexican War's Impact: Constitution's Birthright?
You may want to see also
Iroquois Confederacy's federalist principles
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee, was a union of six nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora peoples. The Confederacy was governed by the Great Law of Peace (known in the Mohawk language as Kaianere'kó:wa or Gayanashagowa), a constitution consisting of 117 articles or codicils.
The Iroquois Confederacy has been described as a "stacked-government model", with individual tribes handling their own affairs but coming together to solve issues of common importance. This federalist principle of unification through mutual defence and collective decision-making on matters of foreign affairs and security influenced the Founders' thinking during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
The Founders were impressed by how the Iroquois legislated their affairs, and they sought to emulate certain aspects of the Iroquois government. For example, the Iroquois Confederacy's structure, which ensured individual governance and freedoms for each tribe, may have inspired the constitutional framers to consciously separate responsibilities in the U.S. government to ensure a balance of power. The Iroquois principle of not allowing individuals to hold multiple offices across different tribes may have also influenced the inclusion of impeachment processes in the U.S. Constitution.
Another key federalist principle of the Iroquois Confederacy was its focus on the "seventh generation" when enacting any new policy. This concept, also known as the core value of sustainability, dictated that decisions must be designed to yield benefits for at least seven generations into the future. While it is unclear if this specific principle influenced the constitutional framers, it represents a notable aspect of the Iroquois Confederacy's approach to governance.
The influence of the Iroquois Constitution on the U.S. Constitution has been acknowledged by Congress and recognised in academic studies. However, the extent of this influence is still debated by scholars, with some pointing to differences between the two forms of government and the existence of European antecedents for democratic institutions.
The Nuance of Capitalizing the 'C' in Constitution
You may want to see also
Benjamin Franklin's admiration
Franklin's admiration for the Iroquois system of government is further evident in a 1751 letter, where he wrote that if "ignorant savages" could form such an effective union, the "English colonies" should be able to do the same. He also reproduced a speech by an Iroquois leader urging union among the American colonies. Franklin's proposal for a confederation of the American colonies, known as the Albany Plan, was influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy's principles of unification and mutual defence.
In 1775, treaty commissioners from the Continental Congress met with the chiefs of the Six Nations, acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the development of American democracy. The following year, during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Iroquois were invited to address the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where they were well-received.
Franklin's admiration for the Iroquois Constitution extended beyond their political system. In an essay written four decades after his initial encounters with the Iroquois, Franklin expressed his admiration for their culture and society, challenging the notion of savagery based on differences in manners and customs.
While some scholars argue that the Iroquois Constitution directly inspired the U.S. Constitution, others assert that the influence may have been more indirect. The resolution passed by Congress in 1988 acknowledges the contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy to the development of American democracy and the influence on the democratic principles incorporated into the Constitution. However, it is important to note that the Iroquois system had significant differences from the political system created by the Founding Fathers.
Lincoln's War Strategies: Constitutional Violation?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Influence on the Suffragette movement
The influence of the Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, on the US Constitution has been a subject of debate. While some argue that it had a significant influence, others claim it is a myth. However, it is important to acknowledge that the Iroquois Confederacy, which consisted of six nations: Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and later, the Tuscarora, did have a certain degree of influence on the early suffragette movement.
The Iroquois Confederacy's principles of federalism and individual governance caught the interest of the founding fathers, including Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was impressed by the Great Law of Peace, which allowed each tribe to handle its own affairs while uniting them for common interests. This influenced the Albany Plan of Union, which Franklin proposed in 1754, advocating for stronger colonial unity and defence against foreign powers. The Iroquois' ability to legislate their affairs and their federalist principles were admired by the founding fathers, who sought to create a unified nation with individual freedoms.
The suffragette movement leaders, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, were inspired by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy's recognition of women's rights. In their pursuit of women's rights, Stanton and Gage witnessed the superior social, economic, and political positions of women in the Iroquois Confederacy. They recognised the authority and independence of Native American women, who had control over their lives, economic independence within marriage, and freedom from gender-based violence. This realisation inspired them to advocate for similar rights and conditions for women in their own society.
Matilda Joslyn Gage, a prominent suffragist and leader of the National Woman Suffrage Association, praised the Iroquois Confederacy for their justice and civilisation. She recognised the influence of the Iroquois on the women's rights movement, stating that the Mohawk women had voting rights and a voice in chieftainship decisions. Gage's progressive contributions to the suffragette movement, however, were largely forgotten over time. Similarly, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who co-led the National Woman Suffrage Association, drew inspiration from the Iroquois Confederacy's treatment of women and advocated for women's rights in Euro-American culture.
In conclusion, while the Iroquois Constitution's influence on the specific wording and structure of the US Constitution is debated, its impact on the suffragette movement is evident. The recognition of women's rights and sovereignty within the Iroquois Confederacy inspired leading suffragists to pursue similar rights and conditions for women in their society. The Iroquois Confederacy's principles of federalism and individual freedoms may have also influenced the broader context of democratic ideals during the formation of the US Constitution, which in turn provided a foundation for the women's rights movement to build upon in their pursuit of equality.
Amending the Constitution: Two Ways to Make Changes
You may want to see also
Iroquois' focus on the seventh generation
The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, is believed to have influenced the US Constitution. In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the U.S. Constitution. The Iroquois Confederacy is a federalist system that united five nations: Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, and Seneca. In 1722, the Tuscarora nation joined the Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee.
The Iroquois Constitution's focus on the seventh generation is a key aspect of their philosophy. The Seventh-Generation Principle is based on the belief that the decisions made in the present should result in a sustainable world for the next seven generations. This principle is derived from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, which states:
> Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground—the unborn of the future Nation.
The Iroquois considered it essential to make decisions that would benefit their descendants, and this principle continues to inform Indigenous worldviews today. It is often associated with the concept of environmental stewardship or 'sustainability', but it also encompasses other aspects such as child rights and intergenerational equity. The number seven is significant in this principle, urging leaders to look seven generations into the future when making decisions.
The Seventh-Generation Principle is not just a cultural teaching but also a strategy for ecological sustainability and child protection. It is believed to have originated with the Great Law of the Iroquois, which holds that it is appropriate to think seven generations ahead and decide if their choices will benefit their descendants. This principle has been adopted by many Indigenous communities, including the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee, who view it as a responsibility and a rights-based approach that involves children in decision-making processes that affect their future.
In conclusion, the Iroquois Constitution's Seventh-Generation Principle demonstrates the Iroquois' long-term vision and commitment to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come. This principle has had a lasting impact on Indigenous communities and continues to shape their worldviews and decision-making processes.
Congress' Powers: Constitutional Roots, Evolutionary Growth
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Iroquois Constitution, also known as the Great Law of Peace, is the oral constitution of the Iroquois Confederacy. It is a set of democratic principles and federalist ideals that governed the Iroquois Confederacy, which was formed by the unification of five tribes: Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, and Seneca. The Tuscarora tribe joined them in 1722.
The Iroquois Constitution is believed to have influenced the US Constitution by inspiring its democratic principles and federalist ideals. The Iroquois Confederacy's structure, which allowed individual tribes to handle their own affairs while coming together to solve issues of common importance, impressed the Founding Fathers. They incorporated similar concepts into the US Constitution, such as the separation of powers and the balance of power between different branches of government.
The US Constitution was written in 1787. At that time, there were no contemporary democracies in Europe that the Founding Fathers could look to for inspiration. The most democratic forms of government they had encountered were those of Native American tribes, particularly the Iroquois Confederacy.
One specific example of Iroquois influence is the concept of a bundle of arrows, which symbolized unity and strength in the Iroquois Confederacy. This idea is reflected in the bundle of 13 arrows held by an eagle in the Great Seal of the United States. Additionally, the Iroquois Confederacy's focus on unification through mutual defense and the conduct of foreign affairs may have influenced the US Constitution's provisions for ensuring a balance of power and the impeachment of leaders.
