> .... It includes the text of the Tree of Peace and the
> Tree of War from the old native records.
>
> This is a significant document because it had a significant
> influence on the drafting of the US Constitution and the
> Charter of the UN. It is a shame that the public schools
> do not teach this.
From the New York Times, 28 June l987, p.40:
Iroquois Constitution: A Forerunner to Colonists Democratic Principles
"One of the main influences on the framers of the Constitution
was the unwritten democratic constitution under which the Iroquois
Confederacy had operated since the 16th century, according to a
group of American Indians and scholars.
(then follows a lengthy article, the pertinent paragraph is...)
"Starting next September, the curriculum for seventh and eighth
graders in public schools in the state will include information
about the Plan of Union, which was turned down by the English
rulers, and the Iroquois influence on the United States
Constitution,according to an associate in social studies education
at the State Education Department, Kenneth Wade."
(and then there's more..)
James Axtell has an essay which considers this influence further
in one of his ethnohistory collections of essays, but I forget
which one it is at the moment. It's easy enough to find, however.
best wishes,
Maureen Korp, PhD
University of Ottawa
mkorp@uottawa mkorp@acadvm1.uottawa.ca