Iroquois Constitution Summary

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After reading the Constitution of the League of the Iroquois I found numerous examples of a well-organized political system, and social hierarchy. The Iroquois wanted people in government to genuinely care about the citizens, and when the Lords were deemed "unfit" they were replaced. One thing that I found particularly interesting is that while men were heads of the different clans, it was the women of the clans who put them in positions of authority.

Similar to the Constitution of the United States, the Iroquois divided the Council of Mohawk into three Parties; Tekarihoken, Ayonhwhathah and Shaderkariwade made up the first party. Sharenhowaneh, Deyoenhegwenh, and Oghrenghrehgowah were the second party. Lastly, the third party consisted …show more content…
They were responsible for placing men in the positions of power. Another interesting aspect of the Iroquois Constitution is the question of hierarchy. "The lineal descent of the people of the Five Nations shall run in the female line" (44) For example, "women heirs of each Lord's title shall be the heirs of the War Chief's title of their respective Lords" (36). This is an interesting aspect of the Iroquois culture because, in comparison with other cultures, women were essentially looked down upon, and the line of lineal descent often favored the male line. In this sense, the Iroquois were essentially shattering the glass ceiling in regards to women's rights. An Iroquois woman was respected and even given high honors. In times of war, both men and women held a Council of Fire to discuss the matters of war (94, …show more content…
To ensure peace, people of the Five Nations were free to emigrate to other tribes (72). In regards to citizens of alien nations who seek refuge under the Five Nations, it is important to note that they were only seen as "temporary citizens" (74); they were not allowed to vote in the Council of the Lords of the Confederacy
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