The Peacemaker and Hiawatha aimed to unite the five nations of the Iroquois Confederacy under the Great Law of Peace. After the Mohawk, Oneida, and Cayuga joined, they sought to persuade the Seneca and Onondaga to join. The Seneca, with their powerful warriors, were initially hesitant but eventually agreed after Hiawatha proposed that they be the keepers of the western door. The Onondaga, led by the warlike Tadodaho, were the last to join. Jagonsaseh, a wise and compassionate leader, helped to reform Tadodaho and convince him to accept the treaty.
The Peacemaker established a bicameral legislature, with the Mohawk and Seneca as elder brothers and the Cayuga and Oneida as younger brothers. Tadodaho was offered the seat of honor and the power to veto laws, but was also reminded of his responsibility to use this power wisely.
The five nations came together to form the Iroquois Confederacy, with the Onondaga at the center. The Peacemaker taught them the importance of unity, using the metaphor of a single arrow breaking easily, but a bundle of five arrows holding firm. The warriors cast away their weapons and committed to peace, and the Peacemaker chose a white pine tree to symbolize their unity.
The Iroquois Confederacy drafted laws that prioritized the well-being of the people, with leaders evaluating the impact of new laws on future generations. Clan mothers had the power to appoint and remove leaders, and the men's and women's councils of each clan had the power to propose laws. Hiawatha created a broad belt to symbolize the confederacy, with white lines of peace connecting the five nations.
The legacy of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker lived on, with their names becoming titles given to council leaders. The original Tadodaho became a respected leader, and the Iroquois Confederacy continued to thrive. The Peacemaker's work was done, but his legacy remained, inspiring future generations to strive for peace and unity.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Peacemaker, Hiawatha, and Jagonsaseh worked together to unite the five nations under the great law of peace.
2. The five nations were the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, and Onondaga.
3. The Seneca nation had more warriors than any other nation, including the Onondaga.
4. The Seneca and Onondaga were the last two nations to join the great law of peace.
5. Jagonsaseh was a Seneca woman who played a crucial role in convincing the Seneca to join the peace treaty.
6. The Peacemaker established a bicameral legislature, with the Mohawk and Seneca as the elder brothers, and the Cayuga and Oneida as the younger brothers.
7. Hiawatha sat with the Mohawk and was among the first to review new proposals.
8. The Seneca were honored as keepers of the western door, and the Mohawk became keepers of the eastern door.
9. The Onondaga were given a prominent role in the council, with Tadodaho as the leader and 14 representatives.
10. Tadodaho was initially hesitant to join the peace treaty but was convinced by Hiawatha's proposal and Jagonsaseh's intervention.
11. The council of nations was established, with the power to propose laws and make decisions for the confederacy.
12. The Peacemaker insisted that all warriors cast away their weapons and commit their minds to peace before the council began.
13. The white pine tree was chosen as a symbol of peace, and the warriors buried their weapons under its roots.
14. The eagle was adopted as a national symbol, and a bundle of 13 arrows was placed in its claws, representing the 13 colonies of the United States.
15. The US Constitution was influenced by the principles of the great law of peace.
16. The Peacemaker taught that government must function for the will of the people and that leaders must evaluate how each new law would affect the people for seven full generations.
17. The council decreed that leaders who failed in their duties would be warned and then removed from office.
18. Only clan mothers like Jagonsaseh could appoint a new leader.
19. The men's and women's council of each clan received the power to propose laws.
20. Hiawatha designed a broad belt, which became the symbol of the confederacy, representing the five nations of confederacy with the Onondaga at the center.
21. The belt extended to the edge, representing the hope that the great peace would extend outwards to other nations.
22. The Tuscarora nation accepted the invitation to join the confederacy in 1722.
23. The legacy of Hiawatha remains a vibrant one, with his name and the names of his fellow Council members surviving as titles given to the council leaders who inherited their seats.
24. The original Tadodaho followed through on his promise to Jagonsaseh and became a leader that the Haudenosaunee could be proud of.