The Iroquois Confederacy

When the American Revolution began, most of western New York, especially the Mohawk River Valley and the Finger Lakes region, was the dominion of the Iroquois Confederacy, comprised of six allied Indian tribes. The Confederacy’s greatest strength had always been their ability to stay united, which ended at the outset of the American Revolution when the Confederacy splintered apart with some tribes supporting the British and others the Americans. For the next eight years, raids and counterraids devastated much of western New York, resulting in a significant decrease in both the Native and European population.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, explores the changing dynamics within the Iroquois Confederacy, and why it still matters today.

Photo Credits:
New York State Archives
New York Public Library
Curt Teich Postcard Archives Digital Collection
Government of Canada
Library of Congress