In 1776, during the early phase of the American Revolution, the Iroquois confederacy officially

Answer 1

aligned itself with the British Crown. The Iroquois Confederacy, which consisted of six Native American tribes - Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora, had historically maintained relations with both the British and the American colonists. However, when the American colonists declared their independence from Britain in 1776, the Iroquois faced a difficult decision.

The Iroquois Confederacy was deeply divided over which side to support in the American Revolution. Some tribes, such as the Oneida and Tuscarora, were more sympathetic to the American cause and chose to support the revolutionaries. These tribes believed that an independent America would offer better protection for their own land and sovereignty.

On the other hand, the majority of the Iroquois Confederacy, led by the Mohawk and Seneca tribes, declared their allegiance to the British Crown. They viewed the British as a better ally due to their long-standing trade and military alliances. Furthermore, the Iroquois Confederacy had territorial disputes with the American colonists, and they believed that the British government would provide support in maintaining their land rights.

The decision to side with the British had severe consequences for the Iroquois Confederacy. The Americans considered the Iroquois tribes who supported the British as enemies and targeted them during the war. Additionally, the Iroquois' involvement in the conflict caused deep divisions within their own communities, as families and even tribes fought on opposite sides.

Ultimately, the Iroquois Confederacy's decision to align with the British did not bring the desired benefits. The American victory in the revolution led to the loss of significant Iroquois territory and devastating consequences for their population. The confederacy's involvement in the conflict and its post-war struggles played a significant role in the decline of the Iroquois Confederacy as a political and military force in the years following the American Revolution.