The Iroquois League:

Iroquoian Significance in American History

Benjamin Campbell

AP English Language and Composition

Mrs. Myslinski
19 October 2015

Outline
Thesis: The Iroquoian tribes were important in American History because they greatly influenced
the outcome of the French & Indian War and the American Revolution, leading to the
independence of American colonies.
I. Background Information
A. Culture
1. Orientation
2. Religion
B. Customs
1. Food
2. Activities/Roles in Society
II. Literature
A. Constitution
B. Oral Traditions
III. Impact/Significance to American History
A. French & Indian War
B. American Revolution

The Iroquois League was a very important group of Native American tribes during
colonial times. This League was comprised of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga,
Tuscarora and Seneca tribes, also known as the Six Nations. Iroquoian tribes were important
in American history because they greatly influenced the outcome of the French & Indian War,
leading to the independence of the American Colonies.
Native Americans are among the first groups of people to settle in North America,
primarily in the northeaster side of the continent. Residing mainly in the area of what is now
known as New York, the Iroquois tended to live in deciduous forest and near lakes and rivers
(Reid). In this area, there was an abundance of fish, wood, and fur at their disposal; this
abundance of supplies helped to ensure its sufficiency as a place to establish settlements and
populate. The Iroquois believed they lived in a world among several deities, the most important
being the Great Spirit; it is said that this spirt created the world, along with all living creatures,
and continues to guide the lives of those who have faith in it (Reid). This creation story was
influenced from the orientation of the Iroquoian Tribes due to their orientation being surrounded
by plants and animals in great abundance. It can be concluded that the Iroquois placed great
importance and emphasis on nature and supernatural powers, when relating to their daily lives.
Men and women of the Iroquois tribe traditionally participated in hunting and gathering
to obtain food, but also reported to planting corn during the growing season. Fishing was also a
prominent source of food for these tribes (Reid). Living near many rivers and on the east coast
of North America, there were an abundant supply of fish at their disposal. Food ultimately
determined the roles of Native Americans in the Iroquoian society. Women typically gathered

fruits and taught the children of the tribes, while the men hunted, traded, or adopted the lifestyle
of a faith keeper.
Upon the establishment of the Iroquois League through the joining of the five nations, a
constitution was created. I am Dekanawidah and with the Five Nations' Confederate Lords I
plant the Tree of Great Peace (Murphy). This represents the peace among the Iroquoian Tribes
as they united. When Dekanawidah says the Tree of Great Peace, this represents the ties
between the lives of Native Americans and nature. Among these oral traditions, there are also
stories told throughout the Native American tribes. In the story Four Iroquois Hunters, it says
When they brought their furs to the trading post at the end of the season, they had more than
enough to buy all the things they needed for their families. In fact, there was just enough left
over to buy a new rifle (Welker). Traditionally, Native Americans pass down stories orally, with
many of them representing the interactions between Europeans and themselves.
Europeans were the first people to come in contact with the Iroquois, a few hundred years
after the establishment of the Iroquois League. Prior the the independence of Americans, the
British colonies fought with the Iroquois in the French & Indian war; this is also known as the 7
Years War. Many Native Americans sided with the French in this war, despite the Iroquois siding
with the British and signing a peace treaty with the French in 1701 (Walton). The Iroquois
hoped that this would bring peace between the British and Native Americans, bringing them
favors as a result of the war. During the American Revolution, the Oneida and Tuscarora fought
with the colonists, while the Mohawk, Seneca, Onondaga, and Cayuga remained loyal to Britain
(Oneida). The Iroquois were pressed to join sides with both the colonists and the British, but

attempted to stay neutral. As a result of the American Revolution, the Iroquois Confederacy was
broken apart.
With the help of the Iroquois in the French & Indian war, it prepared the colonists for
segregation from Great Britain. This gave all land west of the Mississippi River to the colonists
for settlement. Now that this land was available to the colonists, they had a much better
advantage at fighting the British for their Independence, ultimately being successful. In
conclusion, the Iroquoian tribes were part of the foundation for American Independence, and
were necessary for the American colonists to be able to defend themselves from the British.

Works Cited
Murphy, Gerald. "The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations." The Indigenous Peoples' Literature.
Cybercasting Services Division of the National Public Telecomputing Network, n.d.
Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
Oneida Nation of New York Conveyance of Lands Into Trust pp. 3-159, Department of Indian
Affairs. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
Reid, Gerald. "Iroquois." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 1996. Web. 13 Oct.
2015.
Walton, Joseph Solomon. 1900, Conrad Weiser and the Indian Policy of Colonial Pennsylvania,
pp. 76-121. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
Welker, Glenn. "Four Iroquois Hunters." Indigenous Peoples' Literature. Indians.org, n.d. Web.
19 Oct. 2015.