The Iroquois, also known as the Five Nations, and later the Six Nations, consisted of a confederacy of Native American Nations. The original five included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senacas. It is not until the early eighteenth century, that the Tuscaroras migrated from South Carolina to

The biggest influence of the Dutch came with their use of slavery. The Dutch enslaved Khoikhoi and other African peoples. They brought in Africans from throughout Africa to the Cape to do their labor. This made it hard for African cultural traditions to remain intact. It also made clear class distinctions, slave and master, rich and poor, there was little else to be. Africans attempted to resist the Boers and escape enslavement but Dutch weapons were superior and they eventually were able to take over the area.

The Iroquois dealt with their own colonial relations far differently. Conrad Weiser, who held many important conferences and directed meetings with the Iroquois, during the eighteenth century, recounts that when whites claimed the Iroquois had given up their land Iroquois representatives disputed it. The Iroquois representative stated, “we claim by right of conquest-a right too dearly purchased, and which cost us much blood to give up without any reason at all, as you say we have.” He then asked that person who made the treaty to come forward as he knew that no one would. As an “interpreter and agent in dealing with the Iroquois,” Weiser was comfortable among them and able to view their encounters with a somewhat unprejudiced eye. If necessary the Iroquois would go to war with the Europeans, though in 1791 Major General St. Clair claims he was there to “induce the Indians to peace” he does not discuss the way in which he hopes to accomplish this. Explorer Samuel de Champlain witnessed an Indian battle and believed the Iroquois a worthy foe. “I saw the enemy come out of their barricade, nearly two-hundred men, strong and robust to look at, coming slowly toward us with a dignity and assurance that pleased me very much.” Champlain’s respect for the Iroquois as warriors shows that they were indeed a powerful nation and capable of resisting European advancement, at least for a time.

The Europeans saw Africa as the “dark continent” and as such they felt that by being there they were benefiting its “savage” people. Who else could save them from themselves and eternal damnation? In reality they became suppressors of the people and destroyers of unique cultures. They seized lands from the people and enslaved the people occupying them. As more and more of the Dutch began to settle on the Cape they started to need more and more land. Accordingly, they began to push the Khoikhoi from the area and claim it as their own. The white population at the Cape grew about five times its original size in approximately thirty years. To accommodate their new need for space they seized the land previously occupied by the Khoikhoi and pushed them inland. This had a discerning impact on them.

The closeness, as it relates to the longhouse is visible when one looks at the Iroquois confederation with greater scrutiny. Though the federation was consisted of five, and later six, unique Indian nations they united to accomplish common goals. According to historian Joseph E. Illick, each distinct nation “retained its sovereignty almost intact, without, however, weakening the whole.” The Iroquois confederation was a highly organized unit. Each clan had chiefs who would represent them at the Great Council of the confederacy, also known as the Onondaga council, where each group had specific obligations and privileges. For example, the Mohawks had the power to veto the council, and the Senecas were in charge of appointing the two war chiefs that were in charge of the confederacy’s military. The presiding chief of the Onondaga’s also held the position of head chief of the confederacy. The other chiefs present from the Onondaga clan would be the steering committee, preparing the agenda and making sure that they tended to necessary business. When a topic of importance came up in the council it was not permitted to be debated until such time as the chiefs could deliberate and delegat

Some topics in this essay:
Native American, Joseph Illick, Europeans Africa, North America, Portugal Indian, Dutch Dutch, Iroquois Longhouses, Europe Africa, Dutch Africans, African Cape, native american, five nations, north america, fresh water, european colonists, dutch brought, african continent, iroquois nation, indian nations, iroquois five nations, dutch east, east india company, dutch east india, europeans north america, english influence iroquois,