The Iroquois The Iroquois ConfederacyConfederacy

The Iroqouis Confederacy is also The Iroqouis Confederacy is also known as….known as….

League of the IroquoisLeague of the Iroquois League of 5 NationsLeague of 5 Nations League of Great PeaceLeague of Great Peace

This league included the 5 tribes of This league included the 5 tribes of

MohawkMohawk CayugaCayuga SenecaSeneca OnondagaOnondaga OneidaOneida

A 6th tribe was added later on known as the Tuscarora

Why did the League Why did the League form??form??

The 5 tribes were The 5 tribes were constantly fighting constantly fighting amongst themselvesamongst themselveswhich weakened each of the which weakened each of the tribestribes

All 5 of the tribes were afraid of being All 5 of the tribes were afraid of being attacked by their enemy attacked by their enemy the Algonquinsthe Algonquins

So all five joined together to create a So all five joined together to create a united defense united defense

How did the League FormHow did the League Form A prophet named Deganawidah had a A prophet named Deganawidah had a

vision of the tribes united in the form of vision of the tribes united in the form of an elm treean elm tree

HiawathaHiawatha, a member of the Mohawk , a member of the Mohawk tribe, spread the prophet’s vision and tribe, spread the prophet’s vision and message of unity to all the tribesmessage of unity to all the tribes

How did the League How did the League Work?Work?

Male sachems (Male sachems (chiefschiefs) were chosen by the ) were chosen by the femalefemale tribal clan leaders to represent the tribal clan leaders to represent the tribestribes

Each year the sachems met to discuss and Each year the sachems met to discuss and make make decisions for the whole tribedecisions for the whole tribe

All decisions were voted uponAll decisions were voted upon Each tribe had Each tribe had oneone vote and all decisions had vote and all decisions had

to be to be unanimous—unanimous—agreed by allagreed by all

Did it Work?Did it Work?

The 5 nations worked together The 5 nations worked together to end to end warfare amongst themselveswarfare amongst themselves and and created a created a united defense against their enemiesunited defense against their enemies

The Iroquois Confederacy was the 1The Iroquois Confederacy was the 1stst Democratic system in America and Democratic system in America and helped helped shape the development of the U.S. shape the development of the U.S. ConstitutionConstitution