During the late 1500s, five related Iroquois Nations formed what is known as “The Iroquois League.” The Five Nations were the Cayuga, the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Onondaga, and the Seneca. They lived in the woods and hills of New York. The Iroquois called this union “The Great Peace.” They did not want wars among themselves. They wanted peace.
The Iroquois joined together for their common good. They created a council made up of leaders from each of the five Nations. Iroquois women picked the leaders, and they picked them for life. They chose leaders for their patience, good will, generosity, and ability to act in the best interests of all.
Because of their unity and peace-seeking, the Iroquois prospered for a long time. Their representative form of government later inspired the American colonists