The Iroquois Influence on the Constitution — Reading Comprehension

The United States Constitution is widely recognized as a foundation for American democracy. However, lesser known is the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy—also called the Haudenosaunee—on the ideas of the Founding Fathers. The Iroquois Confederacy was a powerful alliance of six Native American nations in the northeastern woodlands. Their government and decision-making process impressed early colonists, including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. In fact, the Iroquois had created a system of unity and balance among different groups, long before the United States existed.

The Iroquois Confederacy, established centuries before European settlers arrived, was based on a set of rules known as the Great Law of Peace. This law described how the six nations—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later Tuscarora—would cooperate while allowing each group to maintain its own traditions. The system included a council of leaders from each nation who discussed and agreed on important matters. Decisions required agreement from all members, which helped prevent conflicts and encouraged consensus. This was different from many European governments at the time, which often had kings or queens with absolute power.

During the 1700s, American colonists were looking for examples of successful alliances and federalism—a system in which power is shared between a central authority and smaller units, like states. Leaders such as Benjamin Franklin admired the Iroquois model, which balanced unity with independence. In a letter from 1751, Franklin wrote, “It would be a strange thing…if six Nations of ignorant Savages should be capable of forming a Scheme for such a Union…and yet that a like Union should be impracticable for ten or a Dozen English Colonies.” This quote shows that Franklin saw value in the Iroquois Confederacy, even if his language reflected the biases of his time. He recognized that the Iroquois had achieved unity without giving up their individual rights.

When the Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to draft the Constitution in 1787, they debated how to balance power between large and small states, and how to protect individual freedoms. Some historians argue that their knowledge of the Iroquois system influenced decisions such as creating a two-house Congress and emphasizing checks and balances. Others point out that while the Iroquois model was considered, the resulting Constitution was also shaped by European ideas and did not fully include Native American voices or rights. There is ongoing debate among scholars about how much credit should be given to the Iroquois.

Despite these complexities, the Iroquois Confederacy remains an important example of indigenous governance that inspired American leaders. The connection between the Great Law of Peace and the Constitution demonstrates how different cultures can shape a nation’s values and institutions. Understanding this history challenges us to consider multiple perspectives and recognize the contributions of Native Americans to the story of the United States.

Interesting Fact: In 1988, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the development of the Constitution.

Who were the Haudenosaunee?

What was the Great Law of Peace?

When was the U.S. Constitution drafted?

What did Benjamin Franklin admire?

What is consensus?

What main idea is compared in the passage?

The Iroquois Confederacy had a council. True or false?

What does 'federalism' mean?