How did the social structure of the Iroquois Confederacy In Iroquois society men and women were considered equals They had however separate and clearly defined roles Men hunted and fished women farmed and made clothing Both men and women helped the community in their own ways The Iroquois ID: 532663
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Slide1
Impact its political structure
How did the social structure of the Iroquois Confederacy Slide2
In Iroquois society, men and women were considered equals. They had, however, separate and clearly defined roles. Men hunted and fished; women farmed and made clothing. Both men and women helped the community in their own ways. The Iroquois political system was similar.
Only men could become chiefs, however this has changed in modern times. Only women could become clan mothers The relationship between the chiefs and the clan mothers was complex and ensured that no gender dominated the other.
The social structure of the Iroquois ConfederacySlide3
The only way a man could become a chief was to be chosen by a clan mother. On the other hand, the only way a clan mother had a voice in the Grand Council was through the chief. A clan mother had the authority to remove a chief from power, but a clan mother who abused her power could have her authority revoked by the Council. The two major powers in Iroquois society were kept in balance. If a person from one group did not obey the Great Law, the other group could remove him or her from power. Slide4
The Grand Council system ensured each nation had an equal voice. No nation could dominate another nation. In order for a decision to become law, all of the nations had to agree to it. The presence of the clan mothers and faithkeepers ensured that the chiefs worked in the best interests of the people. The chiefs could not ignore the will of the nation or the Great Law.
An Iroquois citizen worked for the good of the group- the longhouse, village, clan, or nation. Citizen rarely worked by themselves; instead, they worked in teams to accomplish their goals. This sense of community carried over into the Iroquois political system. All decisions from local matter to issues affecting the whole Confederacy were made by consensus. Slide5
Primary Purpose: The League's primary purpose was the Great Law of Peace. This law said that the Iroquois should not kill each other.Slide6
The
most common
way for an Iroquois woman to become a clan mother was to Win an election within the clanBe appointed by the Grand Council
Be appointed by her nation’s chiefs
Inherit the title from her own mother
When making a decision, a chief’s most important consideration was
The Great Law of Peace
The wished of the clan mother
The will of his nation’s peopleThe needs of future generations
Questions