Why did the Iroquois refuse to make an alliance with the British?

Answer 1

The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, initially maintained a neutral stance during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and avoided taking sides between the British and the American colonials. However, certain factors influenced the Iroquois to eventually refuse making an alliance with the British.

1. Long-standing tensions with the British: The Iroquois Confederacy had a complex relationship with the British Empire dating back to the colonial period. The British had encroached upon Iroquois lands, leading to disputes, land seizures, and restrictive policies. These grievances created an underlying dissatisfaction and mistrust towards the British among some Iroquois nations.

2. British failure to respect neutrality: Despite initially pledging neutrality, the British attempted to use the Iroquois as allies against the American colonials. British officials, like Sir William Johnson, sought to rally the Iroquois to fight alongside the Crown. However, this violated the Iroquois' desire to remain neutral, ultimately damaging any potential for an alliance.

3. Division within the Iroquois Confederacy: The Confederacy consisted of six nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora), each with its own distinct interests and perspectives. The Iroquois Confederacy was divided in terms of their loyalties. While some factions were willing to ally with the British, others wanted to maintain neutrality or even side with the American colonials, depending on their individual circumstances and grievances.

4. Revolutionary rhetoric encouraging indigenous rights: The American Revolution brought forth ideas of liberty, self-governance, and the protection of individual rights. Some Iroquois leaders, most notably Joseph Brant of the Mohawk tribe, found the revolutionary rhetoric appealing. They saw potential in aligning with the American colonials, who promised recognition of indigenous land rights and autonomy.

Considering these factors, the Iroquois Confederacy, as a collective entity, refused to make an alliance with the British during the American Revolutionary War. Instead, they navigated a complex path, with different factions within the Confederacy supporting different sides or opting for neutrality. The Iroquois' final decision depended on their own interests, grievances, and interpretations of the changing political landscape.