Malcolm Rivera
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the Six Nations, is a union of several Native American nations. The Confederacy has been credited with influencing the United States Constitution, with some arguing that it provided a real-life example of certain political concepts that the framers of the Constitution sought to adopt. While the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the US Constitution is disputed by some scholars, it has been formally acknowledged by the US Congress, which passed a resolution in 1988 recognising its impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Multi-state government | Unification through mutual defense |
| Maintaining individual governance | Conducting foreign affairs |
| Democratic principles | Strength through unity |
| Federalism | Sustainability |
| Separation of powers | Redistribution of wealth |
| Individual liberty |
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What You'll Learn
The Iroquois Confederacy influenced the US Constitution
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the People of the Long House, is a union of six nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora peoples. The Confederacy is governed by a constitution called the Great Law of Peace, which was founded in 1142 and may be the longest-standing democracy on Earth.
The Iroquois Confederacy is believed to have influenced the US Constitution. In 1988, the US 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."
The Iroquois Confederacy provided a real-life example of some of the political concepts that the framers of the US Constitution were interested in adopting. For instance, the Confederacy's structure of a multi-state government with unified decision-making and foreign affairs inspired the constitutional framers' thinking about federalism. The concept of a "seventh generation," which dictates that decisions must be designed for sustainability to benefit at least seven generations into the future, is another example of the Iroquois Confederacy's influence on the US Constitution.
Additionally, Benjamin Franklin was impressed by the Great Law of Peace and wrote what became known as the Albany Plan of Union, advocating for the colonies to improve security and better defend themselves from foreign powers. Franklin also used the metaphor of "many arrows bound together cannot be broken as easily as one," which inspired the bundle of 13 arrows held by an eagle in the Great Seal of the United States.
Despite the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy, the constitutional framers viewed Indigenous people as inferior, and the influence of Native American governments on the US Constitution has been obscured by the United States' bias and violence against Native Americans.
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Iroquois democratic principles inspired the Founding Fathers
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the Six Nations, is a union of six Native American nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora peoples. The Confederacy is governed by an oral constitution called the Great Law of Peace, which was ratified by the original five nations near modern-day Victor, New York, in 1142. The sixth nation, the Tuscarora, joined the Confederacy in 1722.
The Iroquois Confederacy is believed to have influenced the Founding Fathers during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging this influence, stating 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."
One of the key democratic principles that inspired the Founding Fathers was the concept of unification through mutual defense and the conduct of foreign affairs. The Iroquois Confederacy functioned as a multi-state government, with each nation maintaining its own individual governance, similar to the federalist structure of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the Iroquois Confederacy's focus on the "seventh generation" when enacting policies, ensuring sustainability and protection against climate change, may have influenced the Founding Fathers' thinking on long-term decision-making.
Another principle that may have influenced the Founding Fathers was the Iroquois Confederacy's commitment to individual liberty. While the chiefs of the Six Nations were hereditary rulers, the Confederacy allowed for a degree of individual freedom and autonomy within each nation. This may have influenced the Founding Fathers' ideas on individual rights and liberties, which are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Furthermore, the Iroquois Confederacy's democratic principles and governance structure may have inspired the Founding Fathers' thinking on representation and unity. The Confederacy's system of governance, with each nation having its own representatives and a say in decision-making, may have influenced the Founding Fathers' ideas on representative democracy and the need for a strong union. Benjamin Franklin, in particular, was known to have admired the Iroquois Confederacy and drew on their democratic principles in his efforts to unite the 13 colonies.
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Iroquois governance: unification through mutual defence
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the People of the Long House, is a unification of six nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora peoples. The Confederacy is governed by a constitution called the Great Law of Peace, which was founded in 1142 and may be the longest-standing democracy on Earth.
The Iroquois Confederacy has been recognised by the United States Senate as a source of influence for the country's constitution and democratic principles. In 1988, the U.S. Congress passed Concurrent Resolution 331, formally acknowledging the Iroquois Confederacy's impact on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. This resolution affirmed that the unification of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles incorporated into the Constitution.
The Iroquois Confederacy, with its focus on "unification through mutual defence", provided a real-life example of the political concepts that the framers of the U.S. Constitution were interested in adopting. The Confederacy's structure as a multi-state government, with each nation maintaining its own individual governance, inspired the federalist principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution.
The Great Law of Peace, represented by symbols on wampum belts, served as a constitution for the Iroquois Confederacy. It outlined laws and ceremonies to be performed and observed, including the Condolence, which involves a sequence of ceremonies for grieving over a deceased chief and appointing a new one. The Great Law of Peace also emphasised the importance of sustainability, with a core tenet of the Iroquois Confederacy focusing on the "seventh generation" when enacting new policies to ensure long-term benefits.
The influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the U.S. Constitution is evident in the adoption of certain Native American symbols and imagery. For example, the bundle of 13 arrows held by an eagle in the Great Seal of the United States may have been inspired by a metaphor used by Onondaga leader Canassatego, which Benjamin Franklin repeated in a 1751 letter. Franklin also promoted the idea of a "'voluntary Union' similar to that of the Iroquois Confederacy, demonstrating the impact of the Confederacy's principles of unification and mutual defence on the founding documents of the United States.
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Iroquois governance: focus on the seventh generation
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, meaning "People of the Long House", is a union of six nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. It is considered the oldest democracy in the world and is believed to have influenced the American Constitution.
The Iroquois Confederacy is governed by a constitution called the Great Law of Peace, which is passed on orally by member nations. The law dictates that decisions must be designed for sustainability and the benefit of the seventh generation into the future. This concept, known as the Seventh Generation Principle, is an indigenous belief that urges the current generation to consider the impact of their actions on the seventh generation to come and to remember those who came before them. It is based on the idea that all things are connected—the air, water, land, and animals—and that we are simply on a continuum.
The Iroquois Confederacy's focus on the seventh generation has influenced the way they govern themselves. For example, they believe in unification through mutual defence and the conduct of foreign affairs. They also leave decision-making about marriage and divorce to individual villages rather than the national government or chiefs. This allows them to adapt their policies to the specific needs of each tribe while still maintaining a unified confederacy.
The Seventh Generation Principle has also spread to other Native American models of governance and is particularly relevant in the context of environmental stewardship and sustainability. By considering the impact of their actions on future generations, the Iroquois Confederacy ensures the long-term well-being and sustainability of their nation. This principle can also be applied to relationships, encouraging sustainable and harmonious connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
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Iroquois governance: redistribution of wealth
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the People of the Long House, is a union of six nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora. The confederacy is governed by a constitution called the Great Law of Peace, which was founded in 1142 and may be the longest-standing democracy on earth.
The Iroquois Confederacy has been recognized as a significant influence on the U.S. Constitution, with its democratic principles and federalist model of governance. The confederacy's focus on unification, mutual defense, and foreign affairs impressed the framers of the U.S. Constitution, who were seeking to establish a strong and unified nation.
While the Iroquois Confederacy has been acknowledged for its influence on the U.S. Constitution, certain aspects of its governance, such as its focus on the redistribution of wealth, have often been overlooked. The Iroquois had a communal system of land distribution, with the tribe owning all lands and distributing tracts to different clans for cultivation. The land was worked primarily by women, who also had the rights to the land they farmed. This system of shared ownership and collective labor contributed to a sense of redistribution of goods and wealth within the tribe.
The Iroquois also engaged in trade with European settlers, exchanging beaver pelts for advanced weapons, tools, beads, and other goods. This trade had a significant impact on their economy and society, leading to the Beaver Wars as the Iroquois sought to expand their territory and control the fur trade. Despite the benefits of trade, the introduction of alcohol by Europeans had a negative influence on Iroquois society, leading to a high rate of alcoholism.
In conclusion, the Iroquois Confederacy's principles of governance, including its focus on the redistribution of wealth through communal land ownership and collective labor, have been overlooked aspects of their influence on democratic thinking. While trade with Europeans brought some benefits, it also disrupted their economy and introduced negative influences, such as alcoholism. The Iroquois Confederacy's democratic principles and model of governance continue to be recognized as a significant influence on the founding of the U.S. Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the People of the Long House, is a union of six nations: the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora peoples. The Confederacy is governed by a constitution called the Great Law of Peace.
The Iroquois Confederacy provided a real-life example of some of the political concepts that the framers of the US Constitution were interested in adopting. The US Constitution's focus on federalism, individual liberty, and the separation of powers, as well as its democratic principles, were all influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy.
There is both direct and indirect evidence of the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the framers of the US Constitution. Direct evidence includes quotes from Benjamin Franklin, who wrote about the need for the 13 colonies to form a "voluntary Union" similar to that of the Iroquois Confederacy. Indirect evidence includes the adoption of Native American symbols and imagery, such as the American bald eagle and a bundle of arrows, which are also common in Iroquois culture.
A core tenet of the Iroquois Confederacy that has spread to other Native American models of governance is a focus on the "seventh generation" when enacting any new policy. This concept dictates that decisions must be designed for sustainability to yield benefits for at least seven generations into the future.
