Transcript Social Studies 6 - RS Fowler Catholic Junior High School

Social Studies 6
Unit V: The Iroquois Confederacy
How was the Confederacy Structured?
 The six nations of the Confederacy cooperated with each and
protected each other. They viewed themselves as one big
extended family. The Iroquois had their own version of
government:
 The Chiefs – were the leaders of the Confederacy. They made
decisions based on the Great Law of Peace and had many
responsibilities. The chiefs were part legislators and part
judges.
 There were two types of special chiefs: War Chiefs for when
the Iroquois were at war, and the Pine Tree Chiefs who were
chosen for their special abilities or great character.
The Grand Council
 All the National Chiefs of the Iroquois would sit on the Grand
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Council which was their version of Legislature/assembly.
The Tuscarora, the sixth nation, was represented by the chiefs of
the Oneida.
The Clan Mothers acted as the executive by making sure the
Chiefs obeyed the Great law of Peace and acted in the interests of
the people. If the Chiefs did not do their duty then the Clan
Mothers would remove them.
A speaker for the Council was chosen from the Mohawk, Seneca,
or Onondaga nations for 24 hours before a new speaker would be
chosen.
A Chief had two faithkeepers and his clan mother to advise him.
How Were Decisions Made by The
Grand Council?
 There were three important things that the Grand Council had to think
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about when making a decision?:
1. Effect of decision on Peace.
2. Effect of decision on Environment.
3. Effect of decision on 7 future generations. (roughly 200 years). This
made sure that no hasty decisions were passed.
All chiefs in the Grand Council were considered equal, and Chiefs
weren’t considered better than the average Iroquois.
The Clan Mothers had to approve any decision passed by the Council.
Consensus
 Decisions passed in the Grand Council had to be passed by
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consensus.
Consensus – The decision must be agreed upon by all members of
the Grand Council. This made sure that all nations were
represented in the decision.
Consensus is a difficult process, much more difficult than majority
rules, but it is more fair and equal. There is no minority group left
out in the cold by a decision.
Consensus only works if people are open-minded and willing to
compromise.
Compromise - the giving up of some things to get something else.
Clan Meetings
 If there was a crisis that affected all Iroquois people then the
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Grand Council would listen to their people.
Each and every clan would meet and every clan member was
allowed to speak. Each clan would reach a decision by
consensus.
The Clan Mother would report the decision to the Clan
Chief.
The Clan Chiefs would get together in Council of Clan
Chiefs and reach a consensus.
The decision is brought to the Grand Council who accept it.
Every single Iroquois from child to woman to man was part
of the decision.