Iroquois Diplomacy on the Early American Frontier

March 24, 2008
In this scholarly examination of Iroquois diplomacy through the 17th and 18th centuries, historian Shannon rejects the depiction of the Iroquois as “noble savages” and “fierce warriors” during the colonization of North America. Instead, he posits, “They were flesh and blood participants in a scramble for dominion in North America, and diplomacy was their tool of choice.” By maintaining official neutrality during the colonial wars, the Iroquois became key interlocutors in the New World—their diplomatic language and rituals became the lingua franca of New World multicultural deal making. Shannon credits the Iroquois strategy of diplomacy and “occasional subterfuge” with securing their survival as a political entity, pointing out, “Other Indians might have fought bravely against the European invaders, but only the Iroquois created a confederacy that was capable of withstanding the juggernaut of colonialization for so long.” Shannon meticulously chronicles Iroquois political maneuvering, and although many readers will find the highly technical account tedious, true aficionados of Native American history will relish this serious and sympathetic account of the Iroquois' skilled, if ultimately doomed, diplomacy.

Opening with the story of "four Indian kings" who were royally entertained in London, Timothy J. Shannon details relations between the Iroquois nations and Europeans who came to America to live and trade. George Wilson's reading is reminiscent of an entertaining college lecture. It especially comes alive as he describes the Iroquois penchant for selling land they didn't own, British condescension, and quirks of diplomacy. Listeners also learn about Iroquois towns, their style of consensus building, and the shift in relations once the United States was formed. While the scholarly tone might put off some at first, Shannon's writing ultimately proves fascinating as it shows how dealings with the Iroquois shaped our nation's early history. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine